Redbrick
14th - 20th March 2014
Est. 1936
Vol. 78. Issue 1447. www.redbrick.me
Your New Sabbatical Officer Team for 2014 VPE Election condemned as 'unfair' / News / Page 6 Cardboard Policies and Chronic Apathy / Comment / Page 7
Michael Jevon
News / Page 3
Revealed: Selly Oak Burglary Statistics
Millie Guy
Matt Moody interviews Bombay Bicycle Club
Samuel Booth reviews 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Shannon Carey discusses the announcement to axe BBC3
Matthew Greenhill looks at the UK's best university cities
Music / Page 13
Film / Page 17
Television / Page 20
Travel / Page 24
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redbrick.me/news
14th - 20th March 2014
News Tweet of the Week
Society Spotlight
Circus Society The Purple Mermaid Circus Society prides itself on teaching students 'cool skills' such as juggling, poi, staff, diablo, devil stick, stilt walking, unicycling, magic and firespinning If you're interested in learning one or more of these skills, then go along to one of Circus Society's informal meets. On the other hand if you're already have some skill, then come along, share your knowledge.
Poppy @Guild_President is the 1st female, & 1st President, to be re-elected on International Women's Day
We are frequently hired for events, so if you get good enough you can get paid to perform! We have plenty of good equipment so you don’t need your own. To contact the Circus society Email: circus@guild.bham.ac.uk, visit: http://purplemermaid.net or Facebook: Purple Mermaid
#womensday
'Spring has come early at the Birmingham Nature Reserve' Charlotte Wilson @ wilsonscribbles
Redbrick Editorial Team Editor Josh Holder editor@redbrick.me Deputy Editors Charley Ross James Phillips deputy@redbrick.me Digital Editor Ashley Kirk digital@redbrick.me Editor-Elect James Phillips Deputy-Elects Adam Rowe George Bearman Digital-Elect Julia Yan Senior Editorial Assistant Isabel Mason
News Editors Izi Hicks Tara Dein Adam Rowe Sabrina Dougall Vanessa Browne Vedika Bahl news@redbrick.me Comment Editors Julia Bayer Charlie Moloney Jonathan Simpson comment@redbrick.me
Life&Style Editors Marianne Lampon Victoria Haworth Alexandra Landes lifestyle@redbrick.me Travel Editors Hannah Stevens Elizabeth Waind Tamara Silver travel@redbrick.me
Television Editors Hannah Mason Daisy Follett Rochelle Stanley tv@redbrick.me Crossword Editors Matthew Robinson Thomas Hutchinson
Food Editors Gemma Bridge Lynette Dakin Millie Walker food@redbrick.me
Sport Editors Alex Kronenberg Tom Kelly crossword@redbrick.me David Morris sports@redbrick.me Arts Editors Katherine Keegan Film Editors Stuart Found Becky McCarthy Benjamin Carver Tom Lofkin arts@redbrick.me Ben Jackson film@redbrick.me Editorial Assistants Molly Garfoot Music Editors Bethany Tilston Ludo Cinelli Ellie Jarvis Susie Dickey Ella Parsons Sam Dix Toria Brook-Hill Matt Moody Michael Smith music@redbrick.me Lucy Moseley Emily Trivette
Sci&Tech Editors Soumya Perinparajah Claire Harris George Bearman technology@redbrick.me
Photography Editors Charlotte Wilson Emily Hickey-Mason
Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TT 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrick.me Redbrick is printed through www.mortonsprint.com 01507 523 456
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Multimedia Editors Molly Garfoot Julia Yan
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Designed and typeset by Redbrick Copyright (C) Redbrick 2013 The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.
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Top Burglary Hot Spots in Selly Oak Revealed
Burglaries which took place in September 2013 (Map from Police.uk)
Police Figures Reveal Extent of Burglaries Adam Rowe
Online News Editor
Sabrina Dougall News Editor
@adamrowe93
@Sabrina_Dougall
There have been 23 burglaries in the Selly Oak area in January 2014 alone, according to police figures. A Redbrick investigation has found that the number of burglaries which took place in Selly Oak in September last year doubled when students moved in after the summer holidays. In August 2013, there were 22 household burglaries, compared with 52 the following month. This compares with just 14 burglaries that took place in July. Between 22 and 25 burglaries have taken place in every other month so far of this academic year. Burglary rates are thought to peak in September due to students moving into housing for the first time in second year and bringing expensive new computing equipment. According to police statistics, a third of break-ins occur through a back window. 1 in 5 burglaries take place due to windows and doors which are left unsecured. Despite Selly Oak seeing a steady fall in burglaries in the past decade, the neighbourhood is consistently in the top five most ‘at risk’ areas for burglary in the West Midlands each year. West Midlands Police have urged students to ‘think of your room as a tempting shop window’, and keep expensive electrical equipment hidden from view, particularly. Statistics from lovesellyoak.com state laptops are taken in over a quarter of burglaries. Statistics from Selly Watch, a Guild crime awareness scheme, states that
Bournbrook Road suffers from three times the regional rate of burglary. On their website, Selly Watch have said that ‘the very nature of student living lends itself perfectly to burglary, as there is often poor quality security, a lack vigilance, and empty houses in the evenings and at vacation time’. The road with the highest number of burglaries is Heeley Road and the nearby side-streets. Selly Oak train station, on Heeley Road and often visited by students, saw six burglaries in November alone. Five of these incidents occurred in or around the parking area at the station, with only one burglary taking place at a residence. Julia Yan, a first year student who plans to live on Heeley Road next year said ‘I knew that Selly Oak was a dodgy area. After hearing of these statistics, I regret picking a house on Heeley Road. ‘However, I am looking forward to living near the station even though it is a hotspot for burglaries as I want to easily access the city centre. With Selly Oak being a student area, I am surprised that the police do not patrol the area more.’
"I'm surprised that the police do not patrol the area more" After the armed robbery which took place on Tiverton Road two weeks ago, the local constabulary said that ‘[police] presence in the area has been increased’. They added that ‘this is only a temporary increase, as crime in Selly Oak is at its all time lowest level’. Dave Charles, Vice President Housing and Community, has said following the robbery, ‘be assured that the Guild is working closely with West Midlands Police to ensure Selly Oak stays a safe space to live.’
52
1 in 3
Students will be a victim of burglary or theft
Burglaries in Selly Oak in September
Which streets had the most burglaries since September?* 1. Heeley Road
33
2. Teignmouth Road
11
3. Exeter Road/Coronation Road
6
4. Rookery Road
3
* Including side-streets. Statistics from Police.uk Sept 2013-Jan 2014
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News
NEC up for sale to boost council funds Lucy Moseley
News Reporter @L_Moseley The internationally-renowned group consisting of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), the International Convention Centre (ICC), the LG Arena and the National Indoor Arena, predicted to be valued at around £300 million, is being sold for the purpose of bill payments. The NEC venue was opened by the Queen in 1976 and now boasts around two million visitors to 125 exhibitions each year. It has hosted a wide spectrum of events, including Crufts and Strictly Come Dancing, as well as concerts from the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna and Michael Jackson. Currently owned by Birmingham City Council, the NEC is being sold in order to pay off a £1.1bn bill for equal pay settlements. This bill is owed to thousands of female employees, who for years have been paid less than their male counterparts. Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, outlined that the establishment of the NEC group was to drive economic advancement. He claimed to the BBC that, ‘this has been achieved,
but now the NEC Group has reached a point in its evolution where it needs to be able to adopt the financial disciplines of a private, rather than a council-owned, company to enable the next stage of strategic development.’ Sir Albert was adamant that the sale would have gone ahead despite the council’s financial issue. He justified that it would benefit the NEC to be privately owned, as well as to ensure that ‘the future growth of the city is safeguarded and the city’s economy remains stable’. John Hornby, the NEC group chief operating officer, agreed that the announcement was ‘good news’. Also speaking to the BBC, he declared, ‘a move into private sector ownership will allow the management team to take the risks associated with developing a dynamic, privately-owned business, and supports our vision and ambition for future growth.’ The NEC group is anticipated to attract buyers from within the country as well as internationally. With 29,000 employees dependent on the group and contributing £2bn a year to the West Midland’s economy, the decision to sell the group is thought to be a safe and strategic one.
Trials suspended as barristers strike outside Birmingham law courts Tara Dein
News Editor Barristers and Solicitors across England and Wales attempted to bring the criminal justice system to a standstill last Friday, after a call by the Criminal Bar Association, causing trials across the country to be suspended. In Birmingham both the magistrates and crown court saw walkouts resulting in only 2 of the 16 courts sitting. The demonstration was paralleled by a march taking place outside Westminster on the same day. The protest was sparked in reaction to the government’s latest £215m cuts to legal aid, the money removed from the annual criminal legal aid budget. Consequently,
legal aid fees will fall by 6% for barristers and 17.5% for solicitors, despite claims that the paid rate at the moment is as low as £20 (including hours of preparation, time in court and chambers’ fees). The walk-out follows similar direct action in January. The Criminal Bar Association has emphasised the variety and extent of the problems the proposed reforms by Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Justice, will cause. Matt Radstone, a barrister at 25 Bedford Row, told Redbrick, ‘The cuts will have a devastating effect. The criminal justice system will be compromised to its core.’ Radstone went on to say, ‘Those suspected of criminal offences will not have
access to the advice and assistance they so desperately need from their lawyers. Only the wealthy will be able to afford adequate representation.’ He went on, ‘Of course we would prefer to have dialogue and diplomacy – we all fundamentally want to be doing our jobs in the court room – but the government have ignored us at every turn.’ Radstone suggests that the solution is for ‘the Ministry of Justice to sit down with the legal profession and find an approach to saving money’. He admits that budget cuts do need to be made ‘but not to the extent that justice is compromised. There is an overarching fear that the guilty will walk free while the innocent are convicted.'
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have maintained their statement that the cost of legal aid is around £2bn a year and describes it as ‘one of the most expensive legal aid systems in the world’, claims which are disputed by the protesting lawyers today. Additionally, they claim that cuts are necessary to provide a sustainable and efficient justice system, one that is adapted to the current economic climate. The MoJ argues that aid will still remain generous after the proposed Grayling reforms are put into place. Ministers have rebutted claims that only the wealthy will receive adequate representation, stating that it will be readily available to those who most need it.
Hindu week on campus Vedika Bahl News Editor
@itsmevedika
The University of Birmingham’s Hindu society has just completed their 'Sewa Week' which took place from the 24th of February to the 2nd of March. 'Sewa' means ‘to give back’, incorporating the idea of selfless service and is an important principle in Hindu teachings. The week is organised nationally by the National Hindu Students Forum
"Sewa week consists of seven
days where members carry out selfless acts"
(NHSF), the cultural body that works with over 5000 members at 47 universities across the United Kingdom. The
week is an important one for the society, and one of the flagship events held over the year. Sewa week consists of seven days where members carry out selfless acts which are intended to benefit the community and environment. The week begun with a night bazaar, named 'FebFest', organised by the Hindu society’s sub-committee, which included henna tattoos, games stalls and a FIFA tournament. The event rose over £340 for the Divya Seva Foundation and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Micro-volunteering took place on Tuesday, where people raised money and grains of rice for charity with online games and quizzes. Members also paid a visit to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust on Wednesday to visit patients and showcase music and dance performances. However the week’s main event was a 'Maha Aarti', a large ceremony on
Thursday evening, which featured a guest speaker, professional yoga class and free Indian meal as well as prayers. The University’s Wing Chun Kung Fu club also worked with Hindu Society to
"One of the largest events that took place was Temple Run" provide a free self-defence class. Over the weekend, there was a Central Zone prayer ceremony where Hindu societies from all over the Midlands region attended. One of the largest events that took place was ‘Temple Run’, which was a collaboration with Aston University’s Hindu society. The two societies travelled to 3 different temples in Birmingham to carry out selfless service in the community. Shahil Thakar, Hindu society’s President and second year Economics
student, said, ‘We aimed to raise the profile this year by working a lot more with the local community and networking with other local universities' Hindu societies. The society aims to promote Hindu values, of which Sewa is really important in the Hindu dharma. ‘Dharma’ is the way you live your life, and these both come hand in hand. We’re planning a Holi event for 2014 so watch out!’ Sita Shah, the society’s Vice-President and second year Accounting and Finance student said ‘The response was really impressive this year, with very different audiences compared to last year. ‘The attendance at the self-defence class was very popular. I think this year the activities appealed to a variety of people instead of just certain groups, which is great for raising awareness for service and more inclusive for the whole community and not just the Hindu society.’
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Exclusive: News Editor Adam Rowe accompanies 200 post-16 students to Auschwitz Adam Rowe News Editor
@adamrowe93
On Wednesday 5th March, the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) organised their annual day-trip to Auschwitz-the internationally notorious Nazi concentration camp-which involved 100 sixth forms and further education colleges across the West Midlands, where two students from each institution were selected to go on the trip. The trip involved three parts: an orientation seminar, the day-trip itself and a follow-up seminar. The idea of the trip, unlike many to Auschwitz, is to focus students on the individual persons involved in the atrocities and their individual stories about them and their families, as opposed to hearing general figures which, HET argue, don’t help students to comprehend what happened to families and children, for example. The orientation seminar was designed to install this focus within the trip-goers, and to do this, HET organised for Susan Pollock, 86, originally from Hungary now living in London, to tell her story as a former child prisoner in the camp. She
spoke for an hour about how the Nazi regime affected her family, her country and her community. Susan talked about how she watched her father get brutally beaten and taken to his death and how she watched her mother knowingly be placed in the group to be gassed when arriving at Auschwitz. She explained how she lost 50 members of her family, ‘there were three of us left’. She spoke about the day the British army liberated the camp, and how ‘if the British had come a day later, I wouldn’t be talking to you today’. Susan answered questions after, where she said that ‘I can never forgive my persecutors. There is a deep-felt anger. Everyone has a choice’. She explained how the concentration camps required such large amounts of staff, that the horrific reality is that there were thousands that let these atrocities occur. However, she makes sure to add that she does not ‘hate’ her persecutors and that hatred is a very dangerous feeling that must be contained, in order to prevent any kind of future attack against a certain group of innocent people. The visit began with a visit to Oswiecim, the Polish name for the town
Photography: Holocaust Education Trust
Charley Ross
that Nazi Germany renamed ‘Auschwitz’ to see what effect the camp had on the local town. Prior to the war there was a Jewish population of 8,000 in Oswiecim, in contrast, not a single Jew lives there now. In the village, students were shown an area of grass and trees where the Grand Synagogue stood before the Nazis razed it to the ground. Students were then shown the only Jewish building left standing in Oswiecim which is a small Synagogue that was used by the Nazis as a storage dump during the war. After learning what the village was like before the Nazi invasion, students travelled to what is known as Auschwitz I, the first concentration camp, which was built in place of the Polish military barracks that stood there. It is at this camp where the famous exhibition of the hair of the victims can be seen and also a whole room full of children’s shoes, a harrowing visual representation of the overwhelming brutality of the place. Finnius Higgins, a year 12 student from the Bishop Challoner Catholic College struggled to comprehend how ‘deluded people can become when they are brainwashed’ to not view the victims ‘as people’. Xenia Nutt, also in year 12 at Bishop Challoner found it particularly
‘astounding how these families are average families like ours and were needlessly murdered’. Xenia also explained how she thought it was ‘amazing that people could stand by and watch it all happen, it’s just incredible’. After this the group travelled 3km to Auschwitz II, or Auschwitz-Birkenau, which is twenty times larger than Auschwitz I and was the first purposebuilt ‘killing factory’. AuschwitzBirkenau, unlike Auschwitz I, is left almost exactly as the camp was found by the Russian army in 1945, yet as the Nazi’s attempted to destroy evidence of the camp before liberation, the gas chambers and furnaces are just ruins. However, it is still very clear what these ruins formed a part of. It was the vastness of Auschwitz II which astounded the students as they looked from the famous guard tower, with the railway running underneath. The day came to an end with a ceremony of prayers and the lighting of memorial candles. The ceremony was led by Rabbi Marcus from London, who accompanied us for the day and is the founder of the one-day trips to Auschwitz at the memorial created by the Soviet Union after they liberated the camp.
University’s UBISOC holds Islamic awareness event Vanessa Browne News Editor
@nessabrowne94
March 10th saw the commencement of ‘Discover Islam Week’, hosted and organised by the university’s Islamic Society, (UBISOC). The event is aimed at both Muslims and non-Muslims, and includes a range of activities on campus every year.
"The weeks main purpose
was ' to achieve a sense of unity on campus, not just with Muslims, but with all students"
Mohammed Farad Ashfaq, the society’s treasurer, stated that the week's main purpose was to ‘achieve a sense of unity on campus, not just with Muslims, but
with all students’, and to ‘depict our [Muslim students’] way of life and our hospitality’. He elaborated that the week stood to promote the existence and presence of Islam, which is what Muslims consider to be their duty as believers, as well as to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the faith. Different afternoon sessions have been held throughout the week, mainly in a marquee facilitating a Halal lunchtime buffet, Islamic art stalls and henna, as well as hijab try-on sessions for women, and translated copies of the Qur’an, the Islamic holy text. There have also been opportunities for interfaith discussion, one of which being the student Q&A held on Tuesday 11th of March, attended by Birmingham-based guest speaker and scholar, Mufti Abu Layth, who answered questions individuals had regarding general insight into the religion from non-Muslims, or more spe-
cific ones about Quranic text and Shariah Law, the Islamic moral code. One second-year student commented that it was ‘really beneficial to hear from such a knowledgeable source’. Another non-Muslim student described the events as ‘really good; I was just walking past and the tent caught my eye, as I didn’t really know much about Islam’.
"I've grown up knowing IsIam to be a religion of peace, which isn't often how it is portrayed in popular culture"
Many attendants who belonged to the faith also expressed how misconceived they felt Islam was portrayed in mainstream media. ‘I’ve grown up knowing Islam to be a religion of peace’, expressed
one female Muslim student, ‘which isn’t often how it is portrayed in popular culture. This has definitely increased awareness.’ ‘The world is becoming one small community’, explained the UBISOC President, Zahed Fettah, when highlighting the importance of religious tolerance in a multi-faith world, ‘and it’s important to have an understanding of others. People tend to be interested, but just have gaps in their knowledge [of Islam], which we would like to fill.’
"The world is becoming one small community" Discover Islam Week concludes on Friday 14th of March, with a student panel discussion and a ‘Hijab Awareness Day’.
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News
VPE Elections Dubbed 'Unfair' Ashley Kirk Digital Editor
@AshleyKirk92
The Vice President (Education) election has been branded unfair by students and sabbatical officers, after the initial prevention of one of the candidates running. Hattie Craig, current Vice President (Education), told Redbrick that she thought the elections were 'pretty unfair from the start'. One of the candidates, Deborah Hermanns, was only informed the night before campaigning that she could run in the election. It is claimed that this had a negative impact on her campaigning, reducing her preparation time to one night, whilst the other candidates had several weeks. This follows a three-week suspension from the university, after Hermanns was arrested at a national Defend Education demonstration. After she was reinstated, many speculated whether she would be allowed to run, and questioned how long it took for the decision to be made. The NUS' Returning Officer's representative at results night, Brendon Casey, was booed as he took to the stage due to the returning officer's perceived role in the decision. Hermanns told Redbrick about her experiences: 'after a sleepless night, I spent most of first campaigning week either in Marketing or with Guild media, painting my first banners, creating a blog, making videos – all things candidates would normally do weeks before. 'Additonally being only reinstated less than a week before the start I spent the rest of the first campaigning week either with the doctor, my welfare tutors, my counsellor or in court for a bail variation meeting. 'All of this was the result of the university interfering in Guild elections. The fact that senior managers were put in a situation where they were able to debate if a student – who had just been suspended by said senior management – should run is perverse, when at the same time student representa-
tives, through Guild Council, and the NUS had both decided that the candidate could run.' Hermanns could be seen with her head on the table as she lost the election. She still faces disciplinary action by the university. Joe Armer won the Vice President (Education) election, with a majority of 60.7%. Hermanns gained 1,075 votes to Armer's 2,541. The other candidate, Dan Bellamy, received 386 votes, whilst 178 students voted to re-open nominations.
"This is a clear violation of democracy and the independent nature of students' unions" When asked about his Defend Education backed opponent by Burn FM, VPE-elect Armer said 'there was a campaign from very early on to get Deborah reinstated - rightly so. I was more than willing to campaign positively with our own ideas and make the debate happen.' Tom Wragg, current Vice President (Democracy and Resources), stated on Facebook: 'a recent case of university interference in Guild elections has totally undermined any semblance of democracy in the Guild of Students, however, and I cannot keep it private or accept it. 'Deborah Hermanns [...] has been suspended by the university on dubious political grounds, which are currently being challenged by lawyers. The university (who act as the Returning Officer in elections) has then decided that this student should be banned from running. This is a clear violation of democracy and the independent, autonomous nature of students’ unions.' Wragg had called for the VPE election to be delayed. 'It should be noted that, a candidate is not allowed to run in the VPE election because they have been politically disqualified by the university, then the results of the VPE election are unfair and invalid.'
Spotlight on VPE Duncan Kenyon interviews Craig on the VPE elections, standing her ground, and her hopes for her successor. Current Vice President of Education (VPE) Hattie Craig, has praised her successor, Joe Armer, as the Sabbatical Officers prepare to start the handover period. She believes that the manifesto that Armer intends to implement is feasible and very strong. Craig has said that she is ‘pleased that bursaries are a priority for him’ but also commented that the university has already expanded the bursary policies over the last year. With other manifesto pledges, Craig feels he is ‘facing a very difficult task in changing the university’s mind’. She has most faith in Joe’s policy of student-led teaching awards because it is ‘fairly achievable’. The manifesto point that Craig has most concerns over is Armer's pledge to put a stop to the loss of contact hours due to cancellations ‘as sometimes it’s unfeasible for both [lecturers] and students to make up the contact hours’. She would ‘also be concerned if this policy was applied to strikes’ but hopes that is not what Armer intends. She advised Armer ‘not to be afraid of standing up to the university’. In her experience, Craig has found that the university sets agendas for meetings, and believes that the VPE must fight very hard to hold their own to push through the changes they desire. Hattie states that Armer’s policies will not work if he just sits in the meetings he has been invited to and fails to stand his
Guild Election Res for the righ
ground. Craig wishes all of the new Sabbatical team ‘the best of luck for the next year’ and is impressed with the variation in next year’s team. Her only criticism stems from the amount of people who were uncontested. She stated ‘it was not their fault that no one else ran’ but feels that the Guild should encourage more people to run for office to stop criticism of candidates with uncontested positions. Craig went on to say, ‘I am very disappointed with the Vice President of Education election in general. I think it was very unfair that one of the candidates was only informed the night before that they were allowed to run.’ Craig claimed that because one of the candidates, Deborah Hermanns, was only told she could run the night before it put her on ‘an unequal playing field’. She stresses that this inequality ‘should never, ever happen again’. Craig has called for clearer rules to be issued by the university in regards to whether or not a candidate will be allowed to run for a VP position. Although Craig said ‘we cannot know what could have been’, but allowing this disruption to happen ‘put Deborah at a disadvantage’. Overall, Craig wishes Armer ‘the best of luck with next year’ and is looking forward to handing over her role to him.
58%
53
Poppy's majority in the fourth round of presidential voting
Total numb students w
Non-Sabbs Without a Voice Sabrina Dougall News Editor
@Sabrina_Dougall
Winners of the Non-Sabbatical Officer elections were denied the chance to give an acceptance speech at Elections Results Night on Saturday evening. Thomas Wragg, current Vice President of Democracy and Resources and also Chair of the Elections Committee for this year’s officer elections, has apologised for the decision. ‘It’s basically a mess-up,’ Wragg answered, when asked who was responsible. In an interview with Redbrick, Wragg said that the running-order of results night was decided by the Elections Committee, which is made up of Sabbatical Officers and Guild staff from Student Voice. The decision to deny Non-Sabbatical Officers an acceptance speech was initially suggested by a member of staff on the premise that this had been the protocol since last year. However, this turned out not to be the case, as Non-Sabbatical officers did, in fact, give acceptance speeches last year. Wragg, who found out about this aspect of the running-order the day before Results Night, said he had been ‘too stressed’ to
overturn a suggestion from a staff member and allow time for the speeches in the schedule. ‘In hindsight, I don’t feel like it was the right thing,’ he added. When asked if he was sorry about the omission, Wragg replied, ‘of course I am’. ‘This was definitely the wrong decision and it’s one of the things I’m most annoyed about [from that evening]’. Rachel Kenyon, who was elected to the Non-Sabbatical position of Women’s Officer on Saturday, told Redbrick that she had spent hours preparing her acceptance speech, and was surprised that she had not been able to speak after going up on stage as her win was announced. ‘I was quite frustrated because there were a lot of things I wanted to say, especially with it being International Women’s Day,’ said Kenyon. ‘I suppose it does make it more accessible to some students,’ Kenyon added, mentioning that her anxiety disorder may have caused her problems had she been asked to give a speech. ‘I think it would have been good it we had been told beforehand if we were going to be giving a speech, because it would have saved a lot of stress.’
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Comment
sults: memorable ht reasons? Michael Jevons
Student-free Presidential Hustings Sabrina Dougall News Editor
@Sabrina_Dougall
The only people at the presidential hustings this year were campaign teams and media groups. It makes no sense to hold a debate aimed at improving Guild democracy when no students are there to see it happen. The five candidates for the lead position at the Guild of Students gathered in the Council Chambers on the evening of Saturday 1st March. The main two problems with this are: a) It was in the Council Chambers, and b) It was on a Saturday evening. Many students rarely find themselves in the Guild during the week, with fewer still around at 7pm on a weekend. A third year student told Redbrick, ‘I didn’t see
"This year's presidential hustings were nothing short of a facade of Guild Democracy in action"
Katrin Busch
357
10
any publicity on it. I didn’t know it was happening.’ Frankie ‘Says Relax’ Greenwell, recent winner of the Vice President of Welfare (VPW) election, told Redbrick that holding the hustings indoors on a Saturday was ‘a terrible idea’. He explained that holding the hustings in Mermaid Square, as has been customary in recent years, was much more effective in engaging students in the Sabbatical Officer hustings. ‘The banners would draw people in,’ he added. If the hustings had been held during an
afternoon during the week, then more students would have come across the hustings by chance, and been able to watch the debate first-hand. As it happened, candidates for the Guild of Students delivered impassioned pledges to represent the student body to an echoing room containing no more than two dozen people. Okay so a large proportion of the student body were not going to be dragged away from The Voice to come and be begged for an e-vote. But what about the live-streaming? In fairness, Guild TV had four cameras trained on the candidates all night, beaming the action live to every procrastinating student flicking between Facebook, Youtube, and their essay. Two versions of their coverage of the evening have received 252 and 245 hits to this date, respectively. 'A Walk and Talk with Maximillian A. Shapiro' gained more views than GTV's two videos of the presidential hustings combined. The sharply dressed esquire gained 735 hits on that publicity video alone. As Shapiro himself says in the video, ‘As I understand it, you guys just want to get on with your own lives - the Guild is secondary.’ That was evident enough from the lack of attendance at Saturday’s hustings, as well as the 19% overall turnout for the elections. Whatever reasons students had for re-electing Poppy for president, it certainly wasn’t because they heard her make her case at the candidates’ debate. This year’s presidential hustings were nothing short of a facade of Guild democracy in action. Ironically enough, it’s pretty clear that Shapiro speaks for a significant majority of the student body when he says: ‘I think you're as sick and tired of Guild politics as I am’.
Michael Jevons
Number of officer positions which were uncontested
ber of who voted
Cardboard Policies and Chronic Apathy Ashley Kirk Digital Editor
@AshleyKirk92
This year’s election turnout was the lowest in years. Very few people ran for the positions. Ten positions, including three sabbatical ones, were completely unopposed. The reason for this is simple: no one cares. The damning report that voter turnout was approximately 17.5% shows that something’s inherently wrong. Guild Elections serves a minority of students, feeding egos and fanning the flames of the ‘same old’ Guild politics. If we think about why no one cares, the issue becomes a little bit more complex. Several answers are thrown up. The main answer is that it doesn’t matter. Whoever wins will struggle to actually change anything more than their opponents; their policies may take years to come into action, if indeed they can even persuade the university management to enact them. Ben Puusta’s campaign focused on this, creating policies such as building a flood-protecting biodome over the Guild, and banning everyone called Trevor from campus. People look to the new water fountains
and free printing credits as small victories for the current sabbatical teams, but even these were projects years in the making. How many years had candidates promised these, and voters had picked their representatives for these pledges? The only reason these were ever implemented is not because the sabbatical officers decided to implement them; but because university management - the ones with real power decided to. And then of course, it’s the people. ‘Guildies’ is an affectionate term for those so stuck in the world of Guild Council and its ‘politics’ that they fail to have any real grasp on what the ordinary student is. The worrying thing is that they’re meant to be representing us - if indeed they, or the trivial monthly meeting in which they talk, had any real power. This Guild clique is a poisonous relationship which prevents ordinary students from getting involved. If these people are the face of the political institutions of the Guild, why would anyone from the mainstream student body want to join Guild Council? If you want people to care, quit the in-fighting, the insignificant ‘power’ struggles and the pointless ideological Katrin rants; Busch talk
about what students care about, try to achieve something with your limited power, and engage normal, real students in whatever decision-making there is.
"The winner is the one who can get the most cardboard from Aldi" And then, of course, the final answer is that the election process is a complete farce. There’s no politics involved: the winner is the one who can get the most cardboard from Aldi and is prepared to spend the most time painting it in some garish colour. Democracy in action. Candidates can promise pretty much any poorly-researched and impossible policy with no consequences. Media groups and other candidates aren’t allowed to scrutinise these under the guise of promoting a ‘free
and fair’ election. A candidate can promise a 24 hour library throughout the year, and you may vote for said candidate as you want that for next year. But it’s a fact that the library generators can’t cope with such a demand. So what’s even the point? Students only like the Guild for two things: Fab and societies. Whilst these do need some form of leadership for oversight and management, and some student representatives in the Guild do do a good job, student politics has become so introspective and cliquey that it’s lost any sense of what it should be focusing on. Student apathy is at an all-time high. We don’t go out to campaign in numbers about important matters such as tuition fees, so why would we bother engaging in something as trivial as Guild Elections? It’s insignificant, petty and sometimes out-oftouch and, frankly, it’s no surprise that four out of five students simply don’t want to get involved.
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14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/comment
Comment
@NKoreaReports: "Report: Kim Jong-Un Executed His Uncle's Allies With Antiaircraft Guns Over A Business Dispute"
Russia's Many Faces Natalia Alyukova Commentator
Russia has been in the spotlight of judgment of countries all over the world. The most expensive Olympics ever, held in Russian city of Sochi, was only the tip of the iceberg in defining Russia’s place in the world’s political arena. The Olympics in Sochi gave the audience enough reasons to talk: the amount of money spent on that single event; the alleged corruption of the people responsible for it; and the tension between the Russian government and the leaders of other countries in terms of gay rights. In the very beginning, some of them refused to go because of Russian homophobia, which wasn’t a good start for Vladimir Putin’s campaign on reestablishing the new face of Russia as one of the greatest countries in the world. With the technical problems at the Opening ceremony - a snowflake that failed to open up and present the traditional fiveringed symbol of the Olympics - Russia presented the unity of the countries around the world with a half-empty stadium and a controversial representation of national identity. Being able to compare the BBC's coverage with the views of Russian citizens, it is clear that the opinions of the audiences differed. Whilst British media tried their best to appreciate Putin’s effort of showing off the wealth and creativity in the opening and closing ceremonies, Russian media pointed out the lack of organisation and technical problems. Most importantly, many Russians were not happy to see billions spent on a 'show' that arguably should have been spent elsewhere. That’s fine though. As long as the world recognises Putin’s effort and nods, saying
that Russia indeed has created a fresh image and made another step towards being a respectable European country. So much stress, controversy and trouble to create a decent reputation - and all that is ruined by the snap of his fingers when Putin sends his army into Crimea. Amid the chaos of the Ukrainian revolution it is difficult to understand what is true, right or wrong as the propaganda of several countries is twisting the facts and political statements every hour. Sending troops into a sovereign country (and later arguing that it was merely a military inspection and nothing to do with the civil war in that country) was the move that caused the EU and US to wake up and stop spectating from a distance. Due to active propaganda it was difficult to see what was going on in Ukraine until now. Now it is out in the open that pro-Russian protesters are in fact Russians rather than Ukrainians and the Russian flag representing pro-Russian mood in Crimea is in fact placed there by Russians rather than Ukrainians. Russian aggressive interference in an independent country’s business made the West react and prepare plans on sanctioning Russia and constricting its power. The worst thought has already struck some minds – isn’t it a bit similar to the events taking place a century ago and later? Political and economic isolation of Russia too similarly reflects the Cold War. This is as well as Putin’s aggression towards Ukraine that is incapable of dealing with both civil war and foreign attack at the same time. It’s hard to understand what made the Russian president purposely lose the respect of the West straight after he’d put so much effort into gaining it. The only hope is that the meetings between the countries’ leaders will bring all sides to peace and prevent Russia from breaking into another war.
The Darkest Place in the World Forget Ukraine and the Middle East, Comment Editor Jonathan Simpson says North Korea is where we should turn our attention Over the last few weeks the West has done what it does best - intervene. The crisis in Ukraine has been unanimously denounced by President Obama, Prime Minister Cameron and Chancellor Angela Merkel, and sanctions put in place to deter the 'power hungry' (as I read in the newspaper this
week) Vladimir Putin from what I suppose they believe would be the first in his many steps to restore the now disbanded Soviet Union to its former glory. Whilst I wouldn’t describe their reactions as panicked, I would go one less and say that they appear gravely alarmed. In fact
I would say that they were so alarmed that it was hardly a surprise that I haven’t heard a single Western Power comment on the 'elections' in North Korea this week. On Sunday North Koreans cast their votes for the positions of 'Deputies for the Supreme Leaders Assembly' and Korean media were quick to announce that the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was the unanimous consensus, which is less impressive when you’re the only man on the ballot. North Korea is a bad place. There is only one name on any ballot, ever. This restricts voters to a 'yes' or 'no' vote, and North Korean media usually proudly report that every single vote was recorded in support of the Supreme Leader. It is not well known just how many people live in extreme poverty in North Korea, although it is commonly thought to be a six figure number and a recent flyby of the International Space Station showed the country was virtually completely dark at night time, sandwiched in between South Korea and China, only to provide a perfect metaphor for the silent and mysterious nature of a nation which doesn’t even have the internet. Media in North Korea recently stated proudly that Kim Jong-Un had won every event at the Sochi Olympics (including, impressively, all the multi-person events) and that they were the first nation in the world’s history to safely land a man on the sun. It’s a scary place to have as a potential Nuclear Power. In a report compiled by experts mandated by the United Nation Human Rights
council last month North Korea is accused of crimes of the highest order, comparable to those committed by another leader in the 1940s. Torture, prison camps and even forced cannibalism have been mentioned concerning North Korea in the last decade or so, and it remains in the grip of a dictatorship which has ripped it apart over the last few decades. Why doesn’t the West intervene? Isn’t it what we’re 'best' at? We didn’t mind being the world’s policeman last century, when we protected the rest of Europe from Hitler’s vile government which was fashioned in the 1930s, or was that just because it was on our doorstep? Does this not qualify as a crime worthy for intervention and prevention? We were so quick to invade Iraq to save it from the clutches of Saddam Hussain and search for Weapons of Mass Destruction last decade, why are we so shy of North Korea now? North Korea’s huge military presence probably has something to do with it. I’m not suggesting we trigger all-out war in the Far East, I’m simply saying that if we, like we say we are, are for liberty and freedom everywhere (and even if we didn’t the Americans certainly would) why are we allowing this brutal communist regime to live into the 21st Century? Why does this not qualify as a crime against humanity? At a time when we’re frightened for our friends in Ukraine we seem to be forgetting that their crisis is, in part, occurring because they exercised their right to vote, a right which North Koreans have been frightened into forgetting that they deserve.
redbrick.me/comment
14th - 20th March 2014
9
You Better Not Lie, Jeremy Kyle Will Eat Your Soul Charlie Moloney Comment Editor
Picture the scene and try to suspend your disbelief. Your girlfriend/boyfriend is accusing you of cheating on them. Naturally you’re hurt and upset, because you know you didn’t cheat. Granted you have been a serial cheat in the past, and you also are a regular abuser of drugs and alcohol, but this time you could put your hand on your heart and say that you were telling the truth! However, your partner doesn’t believe you; but luckily they have a solution. Whilst you are out atomising yourself with chronic
"It seems like a dramatic story, but this happens all too often to vulnerable, poorly educated and troubled people in ITV's studio" alcohol abuse, your partner spends a fair amount of time in front of the sofa. The state of Britain today, their poverty of education and possibly their own lethargy has stopped them from getting a job (not that you have one either). However, this has been something of a blessing in disguise, because they’ve been able to religiously phone in to a certain show on ITV. It’s taken a long time, as the endless hordes of broken, unhappy people who dream of ending up on this show is increasing in size every day, but finally they have succeeded in securing you both a spot on The Jeremy Kyle Show. You’re not really sure if it’s a great idea but you love your partner or at least you’ve grown somewhat accustomed to having them around, So you clear your already empty schedule and tell your friends when to change the channel on the TV at the pub. The day comes at last, and you are separated from your partner and both taken off to complete individual lie detector tests. You don’t really think your girlfriend has cheated on you, but seeing as it’s free you’re encouraged to check to keep things interesting. The way a lie detector test ‘works’ is that you answer a few questions which you and the interviewers both know the answer to, for example “is your name Steve/Stephanie?” or “are you wearing a hat?” This is so they can assess the baseline state of all of your bodily signals (i.e. heart rate signals). They will then ask you the big questions, “since getting in to a relationship have you had sexual contact with any other person (other than the 6/7 times that your partner already knows about)?” If your baseline state changes then your interviewers will see this as nervous arousal, which persumably means that you are lying. You answer all the questions confidently; you know that you haven’t cheated. You’re sitting behind the set, and your partner is on stage being sympathetically, patronizingly consoled by Jeremy Kyle for having such a drunken, cheating bastard as a partner. 'Let’s bring him out', Jeremy will eventually say, and with a sweep of his hand he summons you in. The crowd gasps as you slink on to the stage. You sit down in a chair positioned awkwardly next to your partner and you hold hands in fear, mutually regretting the decision. But it’s too late, Kyle has already stalked across the stage
several times, sharing ironic looks and rolling his eyes with his audience. He turns to you, exaggerating how unbiased he is whilst obviously showing that he’s already sized you up and he thinks it's a black case. There will be a couple of rounds of probing, vaguely insulting questions, and the occasional put down if you dare raise your voice or, god forbid, swear (when ITV will aggressively bleep you, as if yanking the choke chain of their dangerous rottweiler). At a certain point Kyle will affect a bored, world weary monotone and demand that we just get to the lie detector results, because you clearly are incapable of telling the truth. You sit back and fold your arms. Remember, you haven’t cheated, this is the moment that you expect vindication. Kyle reads out your partner's lie detector results; they didn’t cheat, obviously. Your partner lets out a hurt sob. You, the distrusting monster, sit under the harsh glare of the pack as they salivate at the thought of your impending lie detector results, as if you were an injured wildebeest that they knew was about to keel over. Kyle looks at your lie detector results, and then gives you a lingering, contemptuous look. 'We asked you, since you started going out with Grace/George have you ever passionately kissed anyone else? You said no.' You shoot your partner a reassuring look, everything’s going to be OK! 'You were lying!' The crowd explodes into an outraged frenzy. Thumbs are unanimously down; if Kyle leaped upon you and disemboweled you with a sacrificial dagger not a single person in that room would testify against him. You sit in complete shock. You had foolishly expected the truth to protect you in this 'hellish house of fame'. All too late you’ve realised that Kyle is a threeheaded monster, and all of his mouths scream 'guilty', but you’re trapped on your tiny little green chair in the middle of his operating theatre and he’s warming up to vivisect you.
"Can ITV really justify unleashing Kyle and his rabid audience on these helpless, possibly innocent people? And does it even matter as long as we can wach them squirm for our amusement?" It seems like a dramatic story, but this happens all too often to vulnerable and troubled people in ITV’s studio in Manchester. The crucible of The Jeremy Kyle Show, the holy book which he uses to justify crucifying his guests, is the lie detector test. The lie detector, or polygraph test, is relatively reliable. Increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and electro-dermal activity, most of the time, will mean that someone is lying. However, leading critic David Lykken argues that the lie detector only chances at detecting someone who is telling the truth. This means that there is a 50:50 chance that a polygraph test will say that an honest person is lying. A clear conscience isn’t enough to save you from Hell in the church of Kyle. Can ITV really justify unleashing Kyle on his rabid audience on these helpless, possibly innocent people? And does it even matter as long as we can watch them squirm for our amusement? After all, when has the truth ever been more important to us than a sensational lie?
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14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/comment
Comment
The National Exhibition Centre Jenna Norman
Commentator It was announced this week that the National Exhibition Centre Group (NEC), which includes the National Exhibition Centre, the LG Arena, the National Indoor Arena and the International Convention Centre is being sold. The 800-acre entertainment empire is estimated to sell for £200-300m. Birmingham City Council (BCC) opened the first NEC venue in 1976 and since then it has provided 29,000 public sector jobs and contributed around £2bn per annum to the West Midlands economy. So why sell it? The NEC group is selling to finance £1.1 billion the BCC owes to around 4000 women claiming equal pay settlements. Since it opened the NEC, Birmingham City Council (BCC) has continuously paid women less than men for doing the same jobs. Despite taking loans from the BCC’s budget in attempt to pay off these debts the group can no longer afford to finance its punishment. The moral of the story for BCC is obviously to pay their workers equally. Although many of these cases took place under a different council it is still scandalous and brings the issue under public scrutiny. There is an overwhelming irony here in that the NEC is now going to have to privatise and subtract £2 billion from the BCC’s annual income. On the one hand the BCC cannot be allowed to get away with these appalling sexist acts but is privatising really the answer? The majority of these cases happened under a different city council in the 90s
therefore privatising punishes a generation where the public sector needs every penny it can get, for the actions of a different generation. In addition, it is common knowledge that the ethics of private sector companies in terms of equal pay are a contentious grey area so, by selling out, is this the easy way out for the NEC group that could reoffend in the private sector? Not to mention the £2 billion pounds of annual income that will be stolen from the public sector into the hands of the private sector. Who knows what will happen to the venue and its workers once it’s sold. The argument that it is economically beneficial to sell barely stands up when the group brings in £2 billion a year but will be sold for around £300 million - you do the maths. What’s worse is the attempt to cover up the outrage both by the BCC and the local media. Sir Albert Boar (Labour leader of the BCC) has tried to downplay the humiliation of this injustice by saying that the NEC, as a public organisation, has achieved its aims and reached the point where it would benefit from privatising. The Birmingham Mail article on the issue mentions the equal pay legalities only once, vaguely brushing them under the rug and instead claiming that the BCC are selling to ‘bolster a struggling balance sheet’. This media cover up is just another example of the institutionalised sexism and coming from a public sector organisation is even more scandalous. Boar could be attempting to have a dig at Westminster by selling but this doesn’t really stand when you think about the reason they’re having to sell and his claim that they would
have sold with or without austerity. Nevertheless, in our Second City this is just another example of the tough decisions facing local authorities. Above all, though, the bigger picture here is the public inability to face up to institution-
alised misogyny rearing its ugly head and its timing couldn’t be better given International Women’s Day was last week. Equal pay for men and women is a basic right yet one that is still violated in both the private and public sector today.
"I Wish I Had Breast Cancer": Insensitive or Ingenious? Jasmine Stewart
Commentator Last week saw the passing away of pancreatic cancer sufferer Kerry Harvey at the age of 24. Her face is familiar to most of us as the girl in the poster declaring, 'I wish I had breast cancer'. Like many others my kneejerk reaction was anger and hurt. Most of us know at least one person who’s battled breast cancer and initially the campaign struck me as hurtful and belittling of the struggle I’d seen people go through. After all, cancer is not a competition and it seems disrespectful to sufferers to tell them that they have an ‘easy’ cancer. However, the day after the campaign hit the newspapers, Kerry phoned into The Wright Stuff to defend the campaign. She highlighted the fact that when the doctor says ‘breast cancer’, the sufferer thinks ‘recovery’ and ‘reconstruction’, whereas when they say ‘pancreatic cancer’ the immediate thought is ‘death sentence’. Because of the shocking quote on the poster I, and most likely others, overlooked the most horrifying aspect of it: the statistics. The poster states that pancreatic cancer has a 3% survival rate (compared to the 83.5% rate Cancer Research reports for breast cancer in women of Kerry’s age), the lowest of any of the 22 most common cancers, and the majority die within six months of diagnosis. Breast cancer awareness is at the forefront of the public’s mind. No doubt partly because breasts are ‘nice’ and, because it is females who are diagnosed the majority of the time, there is a Pink campaign which appeals to the public. Pancreases aren’t such
an appealing body part and therefore are far harder to sell to the public in terms of branding. It is amazing what breast cancer campaigners have achieved; survival rates have steadily increased, and most women are aware of the symptoms and general awareness is high. However it seems rather sickening that such an issue should boil down to branding and that pancreatic cancer awareness advocates have had to go to such extreme lengths in order to have their voices heard. Cancer is a horrendous disease none of us would wish on our worst enemy, so it
"It's amazing what breast cancer campaingers have achieved" perhaps underlines Kerry’s despair at her situation that she would have such a thought, that she would wish something as awful as breast cancer on herself because the survival rates for pancreatic cancer are so dismal. This doesn’t change the fact that this campaign (at least initially) must have hurt a lot of people. However, if the aim was to raise awareness the campaign certainly succeeded; I know that pancreatic cancer is now at the forefront of my mind in a way it wasn’t before. 24 is no age to die at but if Kerry Harvey’s death has done one thing it has underlined her message that if she had had breast cancer she’d most likely be alive now. And that isn’t to belittle the struggle of breast cancer sufferers; it is to move us to donate towards pancreatic cancer research and save more people like Kerry.
14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/comment
11
Essex is Not The Only Way
proudly announce that they can’t do their timetables or have any idea what pi is, but who certainly have relationship advice for men and women who don’t live in the real world. It’s the type of television which is 'so bad its good', except I worry that that really
isn’t how people think of it at all, they think it’s what being a person in their 20s and 30s should look like, whilst in my opinion they represent nothing more than a trap of ignorance which we as a generation appear to have slipped into.
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I’d love to just stay in and watch TOWIE all day she said. ‘It would be heaven- I wouldn’t have to crowd my mind with my subject stuff’ she said. ‘I know right, I’d love that’ I replied, in a vague attempt to show that we had something in common and that the idea of reality TV wasn’t in my opinion the crevasse down which society was slowly sinking, lurching teeth whitener first into an abyss of gossip and cat fighting. At this point I should point out that I have watched The Only Way Is Essex, and I have watched Made In Chelsea (although it seems to me that the only thing really made in Chelsea is a micro economy built on a foundation of foundation), their combined era in my life (the amount of time for which I was paying honest attention to them) lasted about 20 minutes. Half an hour at tops. Think of me as a snob if you want, but I just can’t stand the fact that people care. How can you care who’s going out with Spencer (I don’t know who that is, I just picked a name I hear a lot)? Or what Deliberately Unintelligent Person One said to Deliberately Unintelligent Person Two last week which had severe repercussions this week? It’s the polar opposite of what we as university students should hold most dearan inquisitive and curious, dedicated and academic mentality. Intelligence is belittled and the skinny image which society bullies
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women into adopting is championed and modelled for all to gawp at. The idea that being single is an embarrassing lifestyle and that relationships are more important than, well, anything, is what is forcing us to aspire to be like people who really haven’t achieved much other than flaunt their privileged and wasted lifestyle on television. That’s not to say that we can’t both enjoy academia and want to watch TOWIE, but every once in a while let’s read a book, read the newspaper and watch the news, instead of talking about what Joey Essex (again, I’m not sure which program he’s in, all I know is that he learnt to tell time on I’m a Celebrity - I think he might be one of the blonde ones) did to his girlfriend this week. Perhaps I’m part of a minority on this issue, I mean I have talked to people who you wouldn’t expect to care (guys) about reality television but who really do. Nevertheless I have this back of the mind feeling that I may be part of a segment of society which, if they had their way would cut reality TV and make children watch programmes which would benefit them, equip them with knowledge about the United Nations (and I assume that through sheer statistics that there will be people who read this who know what happened in the last series of TOWIE but don’t know what the United Nations does) or even just good TV, such as real comedy or a thought provoking drama. We’re being dragged into a mass mindset where we don’t want to have to think, where people (particularly younger people)
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14th - 20th March 2014
Music
Redbrick Preview: Festival Season 2014 Reading and Leeds 22nd - 24th August
Latitude 17th - 20th July
After securing men of the moment Arctic Monkeys and filling the nostalgia slot with seasoned pop-punkers Blink 182, organisers of this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals have promised to take them to the next level with four headliners instead of three cryptic clues on twitter hinting at the final two big names this week have sent the rumour mill into overdrive – a picture featuring the headliners as playing cards with a yet to be revealed ‘king and queen’ dropped some pretty heavy hints for Kings of Leon and Queens of the Stone Age, respectively – but the UK’s biggest rock festival is a hit every year regardless of line-up.
Although other music festivals have made a foray into comedy and other entertainment in recent years, Latitude festival is peerless in its “more than just music” philosophy. As the industry leader in comedy, theatre, art and just about anything else you can think of, it’s even more impressive that the festival’s musical line-up is so consistently quality; although well known as a launch-pad for up and coming bands, the organisers have secured a solid set of headliners this year too with a UK exclusive set from a newly-solo Damon Albarn plus from Two Door Cinema Club and the Black Keys. tival; they don’t call it ‘the Glastonbury you can actually get tickets for’ for nothing.
The impending release of 5th album Education, Education, Education & War marks the beginning of a new era for Kaiser Chiefs. Much has changed since their last record 'The Future is Medieval' – the band have acquired a new drummer following the exit of Nick Hodgson and frontman Ricky Wilson is currently gracing Saturday night TV screens in his new role as a judge on The Voice. Departures and surprising career choices do not appear to have jeoparised the band's latest single 'Coming Home', however. The easy-going nature of Coming Home’s opening offers more subtlety than their energetic fan favourites with explosive introductions of the past. That said, it would be difficult to justify calling the song boring as it does gather pace, allowing the band to flaunt their dynamic qualities. The new direction that the track is leading them in is exciting and shows how they are trying to reinvent themselves. True to Kaiser Chiefs’ form, the lyrics are not challenging or enigmatic but there's beauty in their simplicity; they are endearing, memorable and enhanced by Ricky Wilson’s talent for singing expressively. Coming Home has all the potential of an anthem and is sure to be a song that will be warmly welcomed when it is performed live. The single is promising and if it is a marker of things to come, the new album is one that should be highly anticipated. Its message of returning home is one that Kaiser Chiefs seem to be implementing in their own lives as they attempt to assert themselves back into the hearts of indie-rock fans.
End of the Road 29th - 31st August
Benicàssim 17th - 20th July
Wireless Festival 2nd - 4th July
End of the Road is a small independent festival that still manages to attract some of the biggest names in indie to come and perform. Named for its position right at the end of the summer festival period, the festival is a great place to chill out after a long summer of some wilder festivals, and there's a real relaxed atmosphere year on year – the beer flows, the music plays and (hopefully) the sun shines... it's the sort of place you might find yourself standing next to Jarvis Cocker while listening to Warpaint. Among this year's lineup are The Flaming Lips, Wild Beasts and the Horrors, along with a bounty of local and up and coming talent.
If you’re a fan of live music but not so fond of the deluge and subsequent mud bath that’s almost inevitable at UK festivals, Benicassim might be the one for you. Held at a beach resort not far from Valencia and served by excellent transport links, Spain’s biggest festival is consistently popular with Britons for its killer combination of great music and even better weather. This year in particular visitors can count on a party atmosphere: the festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary by playing host to a host of British talent including Kasabian, Lily Allen, Ellie Goulding, Jake Bugg and the eternally youthful Paul Weller.
Wireless Festival has the hip-hop crowd on lockdown once again this summer, with bigticket rappers Kanye West, Drake and Outkast all confirmed to appear, alongside super-producer Pharell Williams and London’s own Rudimental. It’s good news for Birmingham too: the festival is stepping up its rivalry with V Festival this year by launching a second location in Birmingham’s Perry Park to run in tandem with the London event. Even further incentive to get your festival fix closer to home this year: weekend tickets for the Birmingham festival will set you back almost £40 less than a weekend in London.
Live Review: Nick Mulvey @ Glee Club
was doing sharing the limelight with a band in the first place. After a morose but nevertheless enjoyable set from Leeds singer-songwriter Eaves, Mulvey took to the modest stage of the Glee Club, equipped with an acoustic guitar and a beanie, and proceeded to silence the soldout room, which Mulvey described as “an assembly”, thanks to the restrictive seating plan and therefore motionless audience. However, the layout of the venue can’t exactly take all of the credit for this, as Mulvey’s mesmerising performance and natural poise can take responsibility for the awestricken faces throughout the room. There is no doubt that Mulvey doesn’t shy away from, at first, seemingly blemished riffs that complement his sound with such a distinctive texture – the kind that is rarely attempted by current radio lodgers. This was typified by ‘April’, a wistful, cryptic expression of change, with an appropriately regular train-track rhythm, setting the tone for
Single Review: Kaiser Chiefs Coming Home Anna Gunn Music Critic
Gabriela Quattromini Music Critic
@gabrielaquattro
Nick Mulvey, the London-based singersongwriter with an impressive array of musical talents, is no stranger to the stage, having previously been a member of Portico Quartet, where he played the Hang, as well as opening for eminent acts like Laura Marling and Rodrigo y Gabriela. His first appearance on his UK tour was at none other than Birmingham’s Glee Club, and Mulvey’s consistently stunning performance throughout the night makes you wonder what he
Bestival 4th - 7th September
T in the Park 11th - 13th July
Bestival is all about thinking about the box, in just about every sense. Held on the Isle of Wight, the festival is more evenly balanced between DJs and live music than more traditional festivals; this combined with the world-renowned standard of fancy dress on show make for a real party atmosphere. Curator Rob da Bank is known for booking slightly more leftfield acts and making it work, and 2014's no different: accompanying Outkast and Foals are 70s disco pioneers Chic and Nile Rodgers. Bestival avoids the midsummer clashes in first week in September, so there’s still plenty of time to get your costume sorted. fingers crossed for an Indian summer!
Scotland’s biggest festival T in the Park regularly boasts one of the strongest line-ups about, and 2014 looks like no exception, with Scottish royalty Biffy Clyro, serial chart topper Calvin Harris and Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys taking up headlining duties this year. The festival’s capacity has grown year on year to an impressive 90,000 people, and other attractions including a fancy dress competition and a wide array of after dark DJs have served to broaden the festival’s appeal in recent years. The festival’s size and the notorious local weather might seem off-putting to some, but for a three days of quality music, T in the Park is definitely a contender.
the rest of a set that boasted a variety of arresting guitar accompaniments led by Mulvey’s smooth vocals. Mulvey’s time in Cuba and academic years spent at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies are certainly reflected in songs such as ‘Juramidam’, a particularly
"Each song Mulvey played brought something new to the floor" engaging track named after BrazilianAmazonian spiritualistic rituals. One of the most striking things about this track is Mulvey’s ability to manipulate a guitar into sounding almost like a harp. He plays with admirable ease and incorporates glittering harmonics throughout.
Mulvey’s cover of Gillian Welch‘s ‘Look at Miss Ohio’ was a particularly pleasant surprise. He stayed respectfully true to Welch’s original, yet brought a folksier tone to the mild 00's country ballad. All of Mulvey’s songs were thought provoking, bright, teeming with character, and incredibly fluent and technical; he plays the guitar with the same ease as clicking your fingers. Mulvey could never be accused as having a set of tracks that bleed into one another unnoticeably; each song he played brought something new to the floor and layered the evening, building up to one of his most anticipated, popular tracks, ‘Cucurucu’, a vibrant and uplifting tale of the nostalgia of youth and “yearning to belong”. Nick Mulvey is, and I say so unapologetically, a breath of fresh air. His skill and passion is unquestionable, and he deserves every tip of the hat he gets. ‘Cucurucu’ is out now; as for the rest of the album First Mind: the wait until May 12 will be a long one.
redbrick.me/music
14th - 20th March 2014
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Tweet of the Week: @thomyorke: "am unavailable for comment as i am currently building an Ark"
Redbrick Meets: Bombay Bicycle Club Matt Moody Music Editor
@mattmoody17
It’s been a good year for Bombay Bicycle Club so far. Following yet another successful reinvention culminating in a critically acclaimed number one album, they’re back in the UK to give fans a taste of their latest direction. Redbrick sat down with guitarist Jamie MacColl and drummer Suren de Saram before their sold out show at Birmingham’s O2 Academy.
"We're moving towards a situation where the people at our gigs are into dancing a bit more, rather than moshing" Radical reinventions aren’t without their risks for a rock band, especially in a live setting. Just as the release of acoustic second album ‘Flaws’ saw the band embrace a different style of performance, new album ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’ has presented a similar challenge to the band's live performances with its heavy use of electronics, particularly sampling. 'It’s definitely much harder, yeah,' says MacColl, 'but I think we’ve got it down now. None of the samples on the new album are any more difficult than anything that’s happening on [previous album’s lead single] ‘Shuffle’'. The move away from traditional guitar based music doesn’t make for a less interesting live show though, just a different one: 'the songs maybe aren’t as dynamic as they used to be. When you’re doing loud-quiet-loud indie rock the crowd knows what to do, but I think with the new stuff we’re moving towards a situation where the people at our gigs are into dancing a bit more, rather than moshing.' The band’s continued success has seen them playing bigger and bigger venues; it’s a big contrast to the tour in support of ‘Flaws’, which was entirely acoustic and
took places in churches – rather than clubs – up and down the country. Will they miss the intimacy of such small gigs? 'I found that tour really daunting, actually', confesses MacColl. 'Everyone’s super quiet and respectful and you can really hear a penny drop. Any bum notes are much more noticeable'. MacColl isn’t too keen on the idea of returning to a fully acoustic sound on future records either: 'as a songwriter I think Jack often writes better songs acoustically, but they’re maybe not as interesting sonically as the stuff we make as a band. I could see him releasing an acoustic album [himself], but I’m not sure it’s something we’d do again as a band'. Redbrick exclusive? You heard it here first. The band have been playing higher and higher up on the bill at festivals in the past year or two; how different is a festival set to playing your own shows? It’s a whole different kettle of fish, according to De Saram: 'playing your own shows, you know everyone is there to see you... festivals are a lot more hit and miss; you’ve really got to win people over, which is something you don’t have to do at all at one of your own gigs. When you get a good festival crowd it’s hard to beat, but we’ve had some pretty flat festival crowds too. You’ve got to tailor your set towards a ‘greatest hits’ sort of thing'. ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’ was completely self-produced by frontman Jack Steadman, something which affected the approach the band had to making the record. MacColl says 'in the past we’d write the songs, go into the studio for six weeks and that’d be that. If there was something we weren’t sure about we’d be relying on the producer to give us some input and help out, and we just didn’t have that this time around.' De Saram welcomed the new method of recording: 'On the first album we just took our producer’s word for everything. Even if there was something we maybe didn’t all agree on we might’ve been scared to speak up for ourselves I think we’ve gained confidence with each album since'. Self-producing seems to have been something of a double-edged sword for the band; 'it definitely gave us more freedom, but also a greater sense of self-responsibility,' says MacColl. 'One thing I did miss was having someone outside the band to bounce ideas
off of'. Is self producing the future for young bands? 'I think they way people are able to make music these days – there’s so many bedroom producers and bands can just record themselves on a laptop – means you don’t need to rely on people the same way.' After the release of their debut, the band released three albums in three consecutive years; the two and a half year break preceding their latest record marked a different approach to recording. MacColl and de Saram both extol the value of patience when recording: 'I think new bands need to take the time to find themselves' laughs de Saram – 'getting signed as quickly as possible really isn’t going to lead to anything much good'. Reflecting on their formative years, MacColl suggests that starting early was good for them: 'our process of finding ourselves was a lot longer because we were only 15 or 16 years old and hadn’t left school yet I think that helped us a lot.' Quizzed on a favourite track from the
Album Review: Real Estate - Atlas
"New bands need to Matt Robinson take the time to find Music Critic themselves...getting There are some who would cast aside pop as barely worth mentioning. They say signed as quickly as pos- ait'sgenre just shallow nonsense; that it has no merit and should be ignored, bansible doesn't lead to any- musical ished to commercial radio stations. I say tut to those people. Good pop music can be a thing good" wonderful thing and a joy to listen to, and it new album, MacColl goes for opener ‘Overdone’. 'That’s probably quite selfish because it has a great guitar riff' he admits, but de Saram is a fan too: 'it’s the closest I’ve ever come to feeling like a hip-hop drummer!' De Saram is a fan of the album’s closer too: 'that was a lot of fun to record. There’s a bit of a psychedelic rock out at the end Jack and I set up two kits and just jammed out for a bit.' MacColl is less enthusiastic; 'it’s got no guitar in it though... it’s rubbish!' With a summer nearing the top of the bill at festivals and a sold out tour, the rise of Bombay Bicycle Club shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, guitar or no guitar.
does not need to have a deeper meaning. It is of its moment – immersed in a dreamy reverie. Over their first two albums Real Estate have set themselves up in a lovely little corner, a world of perpetual sun, good times and parties. With their new album Atlas they ... well, they remain in that world. In fact, they've managed to avoid the mistake most bands make, and haven't tried to reinvent their sound or make drastic changes to their line up; there's been no giving the drummer a go on vocals or deciding that a didgeridoo would add that magic all musicians are looking for. Real Estate are happy in their sound and for that reason, Atlas is marvellous. It's full of cheery melodies and harmonious singing, and the guitar riffs are uncomplicated, remaining so throughout the album. It
"Over their first two albums, Real Estate have set themselves up in a lovely little corner, a world of perpetual sun, good times and parties" would be hard to pick particular songs as highlights, for Atlas is full of them. 'Crime', however, comes close to being a perfect song, one I imagine will be drifting from my speakers most of the summer. That is not to say they have not progressed – the lyrics have taken on a slight weary quality, as if the five-piece have realised the party cannot continue forever and will, at some point, come to an end... but just not yet. Real Estate’s sound is clean, simple, un-fussed. There is little messing about with guitar effects, or over-production. It results in an eloquence and beauty found only in the very best of pop music.
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redbrick.me/lifestyle
14th - 20th March 2014
Life & Style
International Women's Day
It was International Women’s day on the 8th of March, which celebrates the achievements of women around the globe. There are many rising stars out there, but Laura-Beth Green tells us a few women to keep our eye on in 2014.
Lupita Nyong’O She just picked up a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for 12 Years a Slave and starred alongside Liam Neeson in the 2014 film Non-Stop. The 31 year old clearly has big things ahead of her, let alone the storm she has kicked up in the fashion world.
Foxes She has just released her single Let Go For Tonight, which is number 12 in the charts and her album Glorious is due out in May this year. We predict big things for this brunette singer, who is still only 24 years old.
Lizzie Yarnold Lizzy won Team GB’s only Gold medal at the Sochi Games, for the Women’s Skeleton. She is the fifth British athlete to win an individual gold at the Winter Olympics and plans to use her win to encourage more girls to take up sport.
Alice Englert The 19 year old Beautiful Creatures actress is set to star in the new Channel 4 drama New Worlds on screens in 2014. She will be starring alongside Jamie Doran (soon to star as Christian Grey) and Freya Mavor (The White Queen).
Age of Models Are models getting too young? In the wake of 10 year old Thylane Blondeau's Vogue shoot Bethany Kitchener investigates the extent to which the fashion industry is sexualising child models. With striking makeup on her face, pouting provocatively at the camera, Thylane Blondeau drapes herself seductively over the leopard print bed sheets with a suggestive look in her eye. This may not seem out of the ordinary for a high fashion Vogue shoot however, staggeringly, Miss Blondeau is only ten years old. The images published in Vogue would shock anyone for it is hard to believe that she is not yet out of primary school. The most chilling fact of all is that these provocative images were encouraged by her mother and father who have pushed their child into this sinister industry. Parents pushing their children into this business is nothing new and now can be clearly seen in programmes like Toddlers and Tiaras, which lays bare children as young as 3 competing in pageants, caked in makeup and wearing provocative outfits in which their looks will be scrutinised and scored on. I believe that this distorts the way that these children think of themselves, for we cannot forget that they are only children, as their life revolves around winning and their looks. This mind set can easily transfer onto other children, a recent survey found that 47% of 11-15 year olds are considering going on a diet (I believe this to be a lot higher) and children as young as 11 discussing cosmetic surgery with 19% having seriously considered it. I believe the case of Miss Blondeau merely highlights the ever decreasing age of models within the fashion industry. With the rising sexualisation of the models within the media,
"47% of 11-15 year olds considering going on a diet and children as young as 11 discussing cosmetic surgery with 19% having seriously considered it." it is easy to see why young girls are now being influenced in how to dress and how to act. However, with increasing competitions such as Britain’s and Ireland’s Next Top Model and The Face which have restrictions on age, such as BINTM from 18-23, many may think that if they want a career in modelling then they must start in the industry from an early age. However they run the risk of not being seen as person with thoughts and feelings but rather an object that these businesses can exploit for their own gain. For rather than concentrating on the mental and physical wellbeing of their models they are merely concerned with profits, which to me is very worrying.
14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/lifestyle
Menswear Spring/Summer Jonathan Saunders
"His ability to turn transgressive ideas into playful yet smart seperates." tions, taking them to the verge of bizarre , but ending the collection in the realms of impeccable. His Spring Collection is full of light, a grey foreground where splashes of blue, yellow, green and red feature to make an easy, smart and chic collection of clothing. He also presented his Fall Collection in London this year which, inspired by 80’s fashion, was full of low V-neck tops, dotty trousers and a crazy mix of prints. This shows a new model of menswear, less worried about looking “manly” and inclined to be more daring when suiting up. And away from the classical inverted triangle silhouette for menswear, Saunders wagers for fitted clothes that narrow the shoulders and create a more streamlined silhouette. His vibrant designs are not to be worn by everyone. Only those brave enough to explore the new world of menswear, will be able to embrace the femininity and edginess of Saunders' collections. And here lies the magic of Jonathan Saunders, his ability to turn transgressive ideas into playful yet smart separate pieces to make colour pop into the classic boring men’s style.
"Highlighting the use of architectural and clean prints, as well as bold colours such as dazzling red, matched with satin greens." clean prints as well as bold colours such as dazzling red matched with satin green. Also, materials like glitter and vinyl help to create a kitsch aura within his collec-
Does a tattoo mean anything? Charlie Moloney Comment Editor
Tattoos is one of the most divisive and opinion based topics there is. There’s no real evidence that tattoos negatively impact your health or that, if they are sensibly placed, they can harm your career prospects. So what grounds are there to argue against getting a tattoo? First of all, what do tattoos really mean? In tribal culture, people had tattoos as part of different ceremonies, like coming of age and participating in certain rituals. Olympic athletes have the Olympic rings tattooed on to them to show that they’re part of a team, and they’re united by wearing that same symbol. Members of a gang in American prisons get tattoos to show how many people they’ve killed. Students who have tattoos will probably not have taken part in their first hunt with their tribe, or competed in the Olympics and hopefully they won’t have killed anybody. So, why do students at the University of Birmingham have tattoos? People say that tattoos are a form of expression, an art form. However, the person wearing the tattoo is obviously not the artist; the tattoo artist is the artist. Does this mean that the person wearing the tattoo is the canvas? Are they living art? How can this even be art when the tattoo ‘artist’ is told exactly what they’re going to draw? Surely this is more like decoration. Getting a tattoo is much more like going in to DFS and choosing new wallpaper for your home than drinking lots of Absinthe and letting loose on a blank
Fierce International Women's Day
Life&Style writer Jorge Rodriguez tells us why Jonathan Saunders is the King of mens fashion this year. Nowadays, the world of menswear skews more conservatively than its female counterpart. And this is why a designer like Jonathan Saunders, who cultivates both sides of the coin, is a breath of fresh air to menswear. Although, in this particular fashion case, Saunders' starting point was menswear, an equal inspiration between men’s and women’s garments is clear; voluminous looks for women and tight tailoring for men. London based designer Jonathan Saunders (Glasgow, 1977) has been one of the most important menswear designers to appear on the fashion scene in the past few years. His background as a print designer makes the garments he creates quite daring in the world of menswear; therefore highlighting the use of architectural and
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canvas. I can never really stomach the glint in people’s eyes which appears whenever someone asks them what their tattoo means. It’s almost like the meaning that they’ve come up with is so deep and important, something which they’ve given birth to after so many long years of contemplation, that when they think about it they can’t help but get a little bit sentimental. This pseudo-spiritual nonsense is pure vanity, but nobody feels like they can say that because it would almost be an insult to the important moments in people’s lives which their tattoos are supposed to encapsulate. What people who love big, expressive tattoos don’t seem to consider is their skin: that vital organ which they’re covering up. What does your skin mean? Is your skin not the ultimate symbol of everything that you are? It’s your inheritance. It is the genetic material that has been handed down to you, reaching back through every member of your family. Your skin is your special birth right. It has taken generations upon generations of your ancestors fighting to survive in order to produce each individual freckle and mole which is on your skin today. Anybody could go into a tattoo parlour and pay money to have exactly the same tattoo that you have, and it is unlikely that there are many people in the world who have a one of a kind tattoo. But nobody could ever have the skin which you have. Why then would you choose to go and cover it up with something that could never really mean anything in comparison? It’s like going to a five star restaurant and drowning the delicious food that you’re served in HP sauce.
This week we had International Women’s Day, my kind of day! All the women of the world should feel empowered this week, although dare I say it, maybe this festivity should last longer than a day?!
Festival Season The tickets for all the festivals are coming out on sale, which means music/mayhem/mud season is upon us!!!! We just have to hold on for these next few months, just think of swaying to Sam Smith in the summer sun!
Two Piece Suits If you’re looking for an outfit that stands out, it’s time to suit up. The two piece suit is becoming more and more popular, so go conservative and ditch that dull dress!
Vivienne Westwood goes bald Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has decided to shave her head in an unexplained bid to promote climate change. We’re not sure why, but nonetheless that is one brave move. You go Vivienne!
H&M does Weddings The popular high street store have just released their first wedding gown priced at £59.99. H&M it’s just not going to happen, stick to what you know!
Child Modelling It seems that fashion houses are employing younger and younger models, exposing the question of will this lead to low self-esteem in youthful teens, and when is too young?
Sunbeam? Ok, I get that this sun is exciting, but that does not give people an excuse to wear as little clothing as possible! The shortest shorts you can possibly find is not a good look.
Money Blues Your money is slowly running out and all you’re eating is plain pasta? Come on we’ve not got long left to stretch that loan. We can do this!
By Sophie Cunningham
Life&Style Writer
Finished
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redbrick.me/film
14th - 20th March 2014
Film
Focus on: Wes Anderson
Review:
Critic Matt Robinson takes us on a journey into the world of writer-director Wes Anderson...
300: Rise of an Empire
Details Release date: 7th March 2014 Director: Noam Murro Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey Running time: 102 minutes IMDB rating: 7.2
´´´´´ Charlie Moloney Wes Anderson is an auteur in the truest sense. His films could only be his, no other director places such a distinctive mark on their films. His films are melancholy and amusing, nostalgic and yet completely new. They are made with an uncompromising attention to detail and a wonderfully childish sense of whimsy. Each of his eight films tell of a group of peculiar characters trying to understand their place in the world, whether it is the Tenenbaums trying to exist together, Max Fischer attempting to cope with life without the Rushmore Academy, or two twelveyear-olds learning about love. The world of Wes Anderson is not our own, it is a stage set, perfect and imaginary. It is unique, isolated from our world, yet recognisable. Anderson himself has described it as ‘five degrees from reality’ though some might argue it is distinctly more than this.
"Detractors miss the point... In his films the style is the content, the content the style..." His films are bathed in saturated colour, and backed by a mixed soundtrack of British invasion bands, Benjamin Britten and French pop. Detractors have described him as quirky, they say each film is the same, his films are shallow, all style and no content, but to say that is to miss the point. In his films the style is the content, the content the style. The nostalgia acts to shine a light on our own time, and by isolating his characters from reality he is able to highlight their insecurities all the more.
Anderson’s films are populated by an ever growing repertory of actors. He has worked with Bill Murray and Owen Wilson seven times, Jason Schwartzman five and Willem Dafoe three times. It is clear that people want to work with him; Bill Murray was reportedly only payed $9000 to work on Rushmore. There are no caravans or trailers on set, during filming the cast live together, and Anderson has said he prefers not to pause even for lunch. All this leads to his films having no real star, each part, big or small, ends up with equal importance, and cameos made by his regular contributors are not distracting but rather act as an inside joke for his fans.
Prada, Sony Xperia and American Express. In these creations he has managed to cement his style, but also poke fun at himself. It is a testament to his strong creative will that he has managed to keep his own distinctive style even when dealing with such large brands.
"He has worked with Bill Murray seven times and Willem Defoe three times"
There have been few low points in his nineteen year career. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and all his films have won general critical acclaim, with only one of his films, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, failing at the box office. Wes Anderson is a unique figure in the world of film making. He writes, directs and edits his films, keeps the final cut, has managed to gain funding for every film, and has never been stuck in making an endless series of sequels. He does not like to discuss theories about his work, he leaves it to the viewer to read what they want. It may be true that he is a specialist taste and that some of the tropes so associated with his films distract from the story, but no one can argue that he does not make his own films, and is unswayed by box office takings. Wes Anderson makes films the public need to see, not necessarily what they think they want to see. His films are a breath of fresh air in a world of '80s remakes and comic book sequels.
His filming style is reminiscent of European cinema of the sixties. He avoids the CGI now taken for granted by the majority of Hollywood filmmakers, instead preferring to use analogue special effects, such as dioramas, to create his imaginary world. It is clear to see the influences of Orson Welles, Francois Truffaut and Hal Ashby and the literary influences of Salinger and Scott Fitzgerald. Wes Anderson’s films are populated with panning shots, slow motion and intricately constructed colour schemes. But, most of all, Wes Anderson films are beautiful. It is not just films either, Anderson has made a series of advertisements too. He has brought his distinctive style to Stella Artois,
"He writes, directs, and edits his films, keeps the final cut, and has managed to gain funding for every film"
Critic
In ancient Greece, the Persians are still howling at the gate, desperate to destroy freedom and democracy. Only this time it is Athenian general Themistocles who stands in their way. It’s difficult to lay into 300: Rise of an Empire, because it doesn’t take itself that seriously. It gets off to a promising start, with a huge amount of video game like CGI violence. However, no amount of sword wielding action can excuse it from terrible characterisation, embarrassing dialogue, and a poorly conceived plot. It’s not a B-movie; it’s got a $110 million budget. It’s just a Hollywood cash-in on the brand. Apart from a surprising sex scene, there is no merit to this film. Sullivan Stapleton brings nothing to his role as the lead man, but most infuriating of all is Jack O’Connell’s bewilderingly pointless role. His character pops up in almost every scene, but it’s never explained why. You expect that he’ll have some major role to play, until he disappears without explanation in the final scene. Perhaps the writers got so excited with the last battle that they forgot having even created such an uninteresting character. O’Connell’s casting in this role is strange, because he has to expend all his energy on suppressing his strong Derby accent in favour of a quasi-ancient Greek accent; but this is something which the whole cast spend the entire film struggling with. Mind numbing, irritating and insulting: this film is everything that’s wrong with Hollywood today. A CGI celebration of ultra-violence and rape which somehow manages to be as boring and predictable as it is gruesome.
redbrick.me/film
14th - 20th March 2014
17
Film News Adam Chang Critic
The 86th Academy Awards, recognising the year’s best films and greatest losses has concluded. 12 Years a Slave won best picture, Leonardo DiCaprio remains Oscar-less and the greatest selfie was taken. Lupita Nyong’o stole hearts as she delivered her modest, inspiring and utterly sweet speech..
Idris Elba is a bare necessity. Pun-ception. For the Disney remake of The Jungle Book, Idris Elba is set to voice Shere Khan. This suave tiger will be computer generated, as will the other animals, although Disney is reportedly in search of a mixed race actor to play Mowgli.
Review:
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Critic Samuel Booth reviews Wes Anderson's eagerly anticipated new comedy...
Details Release date: 7th March 2014 Director: Wes Anderson Cast: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric Running time: 99 minutes IMDB rating: 8.4
´´´´´ Samuel Booth Critic
When trailers for The Grand Budapest Hotel first appeared months ago, it was clear that Wes Anderson's newest release would be worth the wait. It promised intrigue in no short measure, lashings of wit and a cast so positively star-studded that it could almost be described as celestial. And Wes Anderson does not let us down. Before the feature begins, a Grand Budapest letterheaded notice appears on the big screen warning the audience to keep calm and that the aspect ratio of the picture had been chosen specifically by the director to be in keeping with the period of the Republic of Zubrowka's history we were about to visit. The message was clear; The Grand Budapest Hotel was to be a very special film indeed. A young writer (Jude Law) delivers a neat little prelude to the tale in his delightfully sophisticated English accent before, over the course of a dinner date, an elderly version of Zero Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham) succeeds the young man as narra-
tor and takes us back to the golden era of Zubrowka and, of course, the eponymous Grand Budapest Hotel. From here on in, Zero's remarkable autobiography is told in chapters, complete with titles deserving of artistic appreciation in their own right. The first port of call is the notorious, witty, charming, outrageous and utterly fantastic concierge Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), whose passion for romantic poetry and older women knows almost no bounds. A young Zero (Tony Revolori) is taken under Gustave's wing as a lobby boy at the Grand Budapest and, as a result of this apparently lucrative association, becomes entangled in the events of the great concierge's extravagant and chaotic lifestyle. In very little time at all, Zero has fallen in love, assisted in the theft of a great work of art, and secured a place on the most wanted list of a particularly malicious family of aristocrats.
"Ralph Fiennes perfectly encapsulates the vanity and exuberance of Gustave H. It is certainly amongst the most notable performances of his career" Welcome to the quirky and colourful world of Wes Anderson. The Grand Budapest Hotel is home to a wealth of zany characters, each impeccably matched to the actor or actress chosen to bring them into being. All of the performances are nothing short of stunning but some, it must be said, are truly exceptional. Ralph Fiennes perfectly encapsulates the vanity and exuberance of Gustave H and plays the role with such flair that it is certainly amongst the most notable performances of his career. Adrian Brody, a regular in Wes Anderson's films, is deserving of a
mention for his dabble in villainy. He plays Dmitri, the leather-clad enemy of Gustave H, and succeeds admirably in creating the pantomime menace demanded by the film's playful soul. Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum and Edward Norton, whilst cast in smaller roles, are all on top form and manage to capture the dream-like quality so characteristic of Wes Anderson's characters with ease. Considering it is only his second appearance on the silver screen, Tony Revolori puts in an excellent performance as Zero the lobby boy and confirms that he is a talent to keep a close eye on.
The new Transformers: Age of Extinction trailer has been released. It features both beloved and soon to be beloved characters, including fan favourites, The Dinobots and Mark Wahlberg’s character, Cade Yeager, one of the film's three new heroes who effectively jump-starts Optimus Prime.
"A perfect blend of wit, drama and creativity... a triumph of alternative cinema" The Grand Budapest Hotel is blessed with its own unique sense of humour, which possesses a subtle but undeniable dark edge. Whether it be parody or deliciously witty dialogue, virtually no scene in the film is free from comedic involvement at some level, and such is its charm. It is not only the talented cast and the sublimely written script that will endear audiences to The Grand Budapest Hotel, for the film has so much more to offer. The playful cinematography and Mighty Boosh style visual effects complement each other to deliver a delightfully off-the-wall viewing experience and there are so many other elements central to its brilliance that it would be impossible to give them the coverage they deserve in such a brief review. And so we leave the Grand Budapest Hotel, saddened that such an incredible film has reached its conclusion but confident that it is destined for immediate cult status. A perfect blend of wit, drama and creativity, The Grand Budapest Hotel truly is a triumph of alternative cinema. Wes Anderson, you've done it again. A vibrant and witty cult masterpiece.
Sin City fans rejoice as the trailer for another stylistic, interconnected, film noir story is released. The trailer shows enough for fans, and indeed others, to look forward to, with the onset of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eva Green and Josh Brolin (replacing Clive Owen from the first film), and not enough information, leaving the plot to a mystery.
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redbrick.me/tech
14th - 20th March 2014
Science & Technology
Campus Spotlight: Arts & Science Science and Tech Editors Claire Harris and Soumya Perinparajah take a look at what's going in the Arts and Science festival next week
Images of Research Date: Thursday 20th March 2014 (12:00-15:00) Venue: University Centre - Avon Room 2nd Floor Free admission, book your place at www.graduateschool. bham.ac.uk Come along to the University’s exhibition of all things arts and science! The festival, which runs from the 16th March - 23rd March, is based on the broad theme of life and death. Through various different mediums, from lectures to short films, it aims to celebrate the spirit of innovation and research on campus. It isn’t just passive listening experiences on the cards though. There are plenty of interactive question and answer based sessions, as well as workshops, to really sink your teeth into! Set to stage cutting edge art and science all in one place, make sure you don’t miss out on the weird and wonderful events taking place all around campus. Here we take a look at a few of the highlights to put in your calendar!
Research projects often take years and hundred of hours of blood, sweat and tears to receive those all important results. So, what if you had to take just one photo to sum up the entire thing? Images of research is an exhibition doing just that. Featuring images from the University’s postgraduate researchers, this is your chance to see what a career in science is really like. Or, if that isn’t your thing, it is definitely an opportunity to sneak a peek at what is going on behind closed laboratory doors!
Creature Feature: Mimic Octopus
Much like their name suggests, these crafty creatures can contort themselves to imitate at least 17 other species. They fan out to resemble lion fish, or flatten themselves out into one long line to look like a sea snake! It takes a different form depending on which predator it is trying to evade, and often mimics its behviour as well as body patterns. For example, the ingenious octopus can masquerade to a crab as being a potential mate, only to end up devouring the unwary suitor! It was originally thought to be found only in the bays around Indonesia and Malaysia, but has been spotted as far south as the Great Barrier Reef.
Cancer: Up Close and Personal Date: Wednesday 19th March 2014 (10:00 - 17:00) Venue: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Free admission, no booking required Curious about cancer? Presented by the School of Cancer Sciences and Cancer Research UK, this exhibition gives its visitors a chance to peer down a microscope and look at some real cancer tissue samples. To make the experience more personal, there is also the opportunity to write down or sketch what cancer means to you. The University’s very own researchers will be dotted around to chat to you about their work, so ask away if you have any questions!
The Art of Anatomy Exhibition
Date: Tuesday 4th February - Friday 6th June 2014 (09:00- 18:00) Venue: Muirhead Tower Atrium Free admission, book your place at special-collections@bham.ac.uk With the anatomical art pieces selected by Dr Alice Roberts herself, come along and check out some historic art, with some dating as far back as 1543. This exhibition is accompanied by a lecture by Dr Alice Roberts, ‘The Art of Anatomy’, on Friday 21st March 2014 (13:10 - 13:50) in Muirhead Lecture Theatre. Showing how anatomy has been portrayed through the years by artists and surgeions, this is set to be a popular one so make sure you book your place!
Life Echo Date: Monday 17th March 2014 (17:00 - 19:00) Venue: Biosciences Building E102 Free admission, booking recommended. Visit www. ikon-gallery.org or phone 0121 248 0708 Have you ever thought what a memory sounds like? Making a weird and wonderful link between sound and neuropsychiatry, sound artist Justin Wiggan and Dr Hugh Rickards, a consultant neuropsychiatrist, discuss their current research, and give their interesting perspectives on memories.
Silk Screws Beth Carney Writer
If you think of items made from silk, you’d probably conjure up images of an elegant cream shirt or patterned scarf, but what if I told
"When stretched, silk is as strong as steel" you that in fact silk is being used to make screws and plates to help broken bones? Scientists from Tufts University in Massachusetts, United States have developed screws made from medical grade silk using pre-made moulds. When stretched, silk is as strong as steel and can carve its own thread into bones like metal alloy screws. But unlike metal screws, silk screws dissolve naturally and there is then no need for a second
operation to have the screws removed. Another downside to metal screws is their stiffness. However, bone actually has a low stiffness and the stiffness of these new silk screws, like bone, is also low. This is a massive advantage for helping the healing process, as broken bones need to have some physical stress to become strong again. The stiff metal implant carries most of the load and prevents the bone healing to full strength. The silk screws are made by dissolving silk in alcohol and pouring them into specially designed moulds. So far they have been tested on rodents and results are positive; the screws had fully dissolved 4 to 8 weeks after being placed into the rodent bones. The screws are extremely robust, and can maintain structural stability under very high temperatures, withstand extreme conditions and even be resterilized. Unlike the metal versions, they don’t interfere with x-rays and won’t set off the alarm when you go through the airport! The research team at Tufts
University hope to start treating facial injuries and then move onto other broken bones. Other research is underway looking at the use of silk in silicone breast implants and acting as a mode of delivering antibiotics to broken bones. Clinical trials are expected to happen soon and scientists predict that by 2030, silk implants will be in regular use when healing broken bones. So until then, keep yourself wrapped up in bubble wrap!
redbrick.me/tech
14th - 20th March 2014
Thomas Ling Writer
Visuals From the moment you first gaze upon the vast burning city of New Helghan, it is safe to say you will be more than impressed. We have come to expect a lot from the next gen consoles, and even though the step up from PlayStation 3 to PlayStation 4 is not as great a step as that from PlayStation 2 to 3, it is a noticeably beautiful sight. The graphics are glossy and detailed and the city is alive and convincing. Futuristic trains, military vehicles and the citizens of the two cities make the world come alive around you and you cannot help but marvel at the design of the city. The problem comes when you begin to focus on what’s right in front of you. Shooting a book on the floor with a heavy shotgun, for example, doesn’t even leave a scratch, let alone tear it. The scenery often fails to suffer from bullet marks,
"The costumes and street level design is something to marvel at" should you miss an enemy’s head. On top of this, the blood in some cut scenes looks similar to that in GTA4, but disappears once it hits the floor, as well as the explosion sequences sometimes being pixelated and undetailed. These are quite minor observations, but with
Redbrick Review
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Publisher: Sony Rating: 18+ Platform: PS4 Price: £36.99
Sony’s answer to Halo came through the release of the strikingly named Killzone back in the days of the PlayStation 2 and subsequently Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3 in 2006. Fast forward 8 years and with the hugely successful release of the PlayStation 4 last November, Sony has once again pushed Killzone: Shadow Fall as one of, if not the, main title for its release. For those who aren’t familiar with the series, Killzone follows two factions: the Vektans and the Helghast and the ongoing war between them. In Killzone: Shadow Fall, this feud has led to the Helghast’s planet of Helghan being devastatingly destroyed by the Vektans and they are now forced to share Vekta (the Vektan’s planet funnily enough) with their long standing enemy, forming New Helghan. As you can probably guess, this is very much a recipe for disaster and through the years, as Shadow Marshal Lucas Kellen, you spy, sabotage and shoot your way through New Helghan. Eventually the tension between the two becomes too great and war breaks out once again, and it is up to you to stop it, though you do acquire some help from an unexpected source. the power that the PlayStation 4 is able to generate, it would be nice to see a little more attention to detail from the designers. That said, the costumes and street level design, is something to marvel at and are, in a word, awesome. Gameplay Something which Killzone does really well, and this may be down to its publication by Sony, is the integration of the touchpad into the game in order to command your O.W.L, a flying robot which aids you throughout the game. Admittedly, at first, it can be a bit confusing, having never used any-
thing like it before, but once you have called upon your O.W.L a few times to save you from certain death, it begins to flow with the game. The guns in the game have a nice feel to them when being fire and aimed. You will have to experiment with a few Helghan weapons before you find a suitable alternative to your standard issue Vektan weaponry. At points in the game, it actually seems to be easier to use the Helghan’s weapons, seeing as there’s plenty lying about. It would be nice to see a few more types of weaponry at your disposal, it can become quite repetitive
picking up the same Helghan machine gun and shotgun over and over, but that said, most weapons have an alternative firing mode, which allows you to mix it up when ambushed by seven orange eyes. This is also useful when playing online, which is one of the games strengths, with a variety of game modes from Team Deathmatch to Capture the Flag. You can progress and unlock special abilities, which are designed to replace the use of the O.W.L from single player. Although the gameplay isn’t quite as epic as Battlefield’s or addictive as the
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Modern Warfare’s online play, it’s certainly popular online, finding a game is fast and easy and you can find yourself playing for a couple hours without realising. The dialogue and character interaction in the game is very average. The story itself is quite engaging and it definitely entices you to work through the game, but the dialogue between the characters is sketchy at points and lacks a certain subtlety or believability. The performances of the voice actors are fairly standard, but, because the storyline and setting of the game is so attractive, this has little negative impact on the gameplay. One of the game’s biggest problems is its stealth elements. You are a Shadow Marshall, and once in a while the game pushes for you to attempt to complete parts stealthily. Yet, when trying to progress through the missions using this method, players will find themselves facing an uphill struggle as achieving this is near impossible. Unlike in online mode, there is no cloaking device, which means that you have to move quietly and out of sight, but your opponents seem to spot you from miles off and can see you even from behind at points. Granted, the use of the stab and throw to kill two opponents is a nice touch to the game, much like in Far Cry 3, yet getting into the position to ever pull this off is a mighty task. That said, the general gameplay online and in single player is pretty engaging and it is certainly a game worth trying out with its reduced price.
The Verdict Killzone: Shadow Fall is definitely not the strongest game we will see, or have seen in the Next Gen era. However, it is quite a thrilling game, both in single player and online, as well as being one of the cheapest available. If you are looking for another FPS for your PS4 then this is a definite recommendation.
Follow us online www.redbrick.me/tech
Score: 7.5 Pros: Online play, Glossy, Engaging Cons: Stealth, Dialogue, Detail
“A lack of shadows”
@redbricktech @RedbrickGaming and our new RedbrickGaming YouTube channel!
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redbrick.me/television
14th - 20th March 2014
Television
So Long, Farewell BBC3
#SaveBBC3 The problem with axeing a channel so popular with the 'younger generation' is that the social media lashback will inevitably be painful. We got together some of the most eloquent tweets. @rickedwards1 Dear BBC, Please do not swing an axe into the back of BBC3's young head. You murdering old swines. Thanks, R Edwards @gregjames Such a load of balls if the rumours about BBC3 being axed are true. Genuinely brilliant new comedy + live music needs that platform @jackwhitehall I really hope reports that the BBC may kill BBC3 are just rumours. [Their] support of new comedy in particular is vital! @bbcthree Who knew people love BBC Three more than pancakes?! Feeling loved
We knew there would be casualties, but has the BBC's decision to completely axe its major "youth" channel a step too far? And is this the beginning of the end for quality digital programming? Shannon Carey TV Critic
News hit the Internet and the papers this week that the BBC plans to close its digital BBC3 channel in 2015. It seems that times are hard at the BBC and that, in order to cut costs, the channel will slash BBC3’s £90 million budget and change the channel to an online-only service, although the most popular shows to appear on the channel will be moved to slots on BBC1 and BBC2. While plans to cut the budgets may seem sensible at first (the BBC announced that it plans to use savings from the closure of its BBC3 channel to create new dramas and join the league of other channels with their own +1 channels), it might be an understatement to say many people are not happy about this decision. A petition on change.org to save BBC3 amassed 100,000 signatures in 48 hours, and celebrities have been quick to throw their support behind the channel, such as Little Britain’s Matt Lucas, who tweeted: 'Hearing horrible rumours about the possible closure of BBC3. This would be really bad for new comedy. Like, REALLY bad. #SaveBBC3'. It seems people are indeed very fond of BBC3, which begs the question of whether BBC bosses are making a sensible, budgetary decision or a foolish error
with the axe. The decision perhaps also proposes a bigger question: what does the removal of these satellite channels mean for the future of television as we currently know it? It is no lie that digital channels have grown greatly in recent years. Gone are the days where popular shows were reserved for the traditional mainstream channels, and
"Satellite channels in the modern age are no longer a companion to their parent channel, but are recognised in their own right" sister channels were reserved mainly for repeats or Friends marathons. Digital channels like ITV2, E4 and, of course, BBC3 have become flagship channels in their own right for their broadcast of many of today’s much loved shows: ITV2 hosts the titanic Celebrity Juice, BBC3 has brought about innovative programmes such as Gavin & Stacey and Being Human, while E4 has been entertaining audiences for years with dramas
such as Skins and Misfits (and that’s not even to mention that the ever-popular The Inbetweeners got its first airing on the channel). It is mammoth shows like these that really cement the position of satellite channels in the modern age: they no longer serve as a companion to their parent channel, but as recognised channels in their own right. While it is true that more and more programmes are accessed digitally through online players, there is still a large proportion of the viewing audience who prefer to watch these shows on a television set – and by removing BBC3 from on-air broadcast, I can’t help but feel the BBC risk alienating this part of their audience. And, while there has been no similar moves from any of the other channels, the axing of one key digital channel does provide speculation on the fate of similar channels if other broadcasters encounter their own money issues. And, if you regularly tune into the likes of BBC3, ITV2 or E4, you won’t want to see that happen. The death of BBC3 as a channel isn’t final yet – the decision still awaits approval from the BBC Trust, so there’s hope for fans yet. But, let’s pray this doesn’t start off a trend for channels: with the success these channels have had in creating award-worthy shows, it would be a shame to see similar future talent lose its main platform.
@russel_kane If @bbcthree is really under threat, so is much of the UK’s new comedy. This place is THE crucible of upcoming comedic artists. Yet again, young people don't get a proper voice in the cutbacks @richardpbacon BBC3 makes lots of great, clever, distinct programmes. If the rumours of it being cut are true, we might need to retool that 6Music campaign. As a BBC employee, I can't get involved in campaigns. So it's entirely up to you if you want to start using #SaveBBC3 @Savebbc3 Pretty much life right now
@mediaguardian Closing BBC3 cuts content for young but doesn't sort out efficiency issues @PleasesaveBBC3 Has anyone ever even watched BBC4?
14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/television
21
Silk
Steven Moffat is probably best known for his writing on Sherlock and Doctor Who, but with Silk now in its third series, he's clearly got more to show us
Roanna Burt TV Critic
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a top barrister? Now you can. Sit down to an hour of Silk and you’ll truly feel like you’re at the Bar, serving up a wig full of justice. Monday night is the new law night, with the hugely anticipated arrival of the third series of the BBC’s legal drama of Silk. Originally broadcast in 2011, Silk delves deep into the lives of a selection of top barristers in a London chambers and depicts their endless struggles with difficult clients and competitive colleagues, whilst working their way up to being on the Queen’s Council, or ‘taking silk’ as it is known. Created by the genius behind the nation’s favourites, Doctor Who and Sherlock, the brilliant Steven Moffat claims that Silk was inspired by his own time at the Bar. Speaking to the Guardian in 2010, he admitted, ‘I want to tell it as it really is, the extreme pressure, the hard choices, the ethical dilemmas, the overlap between the personal and the professional, principles fought for and principles sacrificed, the Machiavellian politics, the sex, the drinking, the whole story.’ And Moffat has done exactly that, in such a manner that Silk was named best TV drama series by the Writers' Guild of Great Britain at its 2013 awards. Silk’s angle is definitely aiming at realism here; the show could almost act as some kind of revision for those in the audience studying Law, although its realism could also frighten lawyers into a career change. Cases being dealt with are often very current, dealing with issues such as corrupt media managers and suspected police brutality within demonstration kettles. The development of these cases is dramatic and travels at a fast pace, mimicking the barrister’s scramble to club together a defence. It engages the audience and also slips in a few trade secrets, whether you’re tuned to law lingo or not. I often find myself googling for clues and thinking, ‘No, he can’t do that,
that’ll never stand,’ or, ‘Oooh, good move Miss Costello’. The highlight of the series has to be the wealth of wonderfully-developed characters and their interweaving connections. The main protagonists are played by Maxine Peake as the rough and ready Martha Costello and Rupert Penry-Jones as the self-assured (and really rather irritating) Clive Reader. Through these two warring colleagues, and occasional love interests, we see the age-old class war hidden in the depiction of the two kinds of people you will meet in a chambers of this calibre; a privileged posh boy and a working-class Northern girl. These kinds of subtle distinctions in characters also direct attention to pressures faced at the bar and not just within cases but within relationships.
"Silk's angle is definitely aiming at realism here, the show could almost act as some knd of revision for Law students" This kind of brilliant characterisation is exactly why Silk should be considered another example of Moffat’s top-class writing, especially with the star of the show, Martha Costello. She seems to be everyone’s favourite kind of underdog. From a working class background in Bolton, she has no problem in dealing with clients and soothing judges, just as long as she can swig beer and dance to Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ at the civilised Law parties afterwards. (Officially one of my favourite scenes of Silk, ever.) Martha Costello is the perfect realisation of a real woman in a real busi-
ness. The complexities of her character are authentic and confidently conveyed. She can get sore when her love interest gets close to another woman but she can tell him to bugger off when he’s hindering her work, and there're a stack of papers and a bag of chips to get finished. Costello is anarchy within order. She can comfort tearaway teens and battle belligerent witnesses in the dock. In the opening scene of the third series, Martha smashes a glass with her fist after her client
"Silk is peppered with insights of what it's like to be a woman in a proffessional environment, with both raw sexism and subtle comments"
is fitted up by police officers and then proceeds to supress the bleeding with the white collar from her court robes, whilst blaring The Clash into her headphones as she marches out of chambers. How rock and roll. The wandering facets of Silk storylines are also peppered with interesting insights in what it’s like to be a woman in a professional environment, with examples of raw, in-your-face sexism and subtle, everyday comments that undermine and belittle, such as, ‘I think you’re a bit emotional,’ or, ‘You must be the defendant's mother’. We are offered to rage alongside Costello as her colleagues look on, seemingly unaffected, presenting us moments of injustice, both in and out of the court room. Silk is the shop window for BBC drama and acts as the tip of the iceberg for showcasing Steven Moffat’s ingenious talent for writing relatable characters in realistic situations. Here’s hoping Silk keeps progressing to be recognised as some of his finest work.
Strippers Alice Anderson TV Critic
Tuesday 25th February saw the start of Strippers, a new Channel 4 series. The concept is based around the fact that the number of strip clubs across Britain has doubled in the last ten years, and lap dancing is becoming a readily available profession. Scenes of lingerie-clad girls entertaining groups of men open the show, with one dancer listing the derogatory terms that strippers get laced with. The series was filmed over five months in Scotland’s three largest cities, and begins in Glasgow strip club Diamond Dolls. The club extends over three floors and employs over 40 dancers. Shelley is the house mother; she was originally a dancer herself, and now looks after the girls, with 20 years’ experience under her belt. She holds the view that women use their bodies in many aspects of their lives, and stripping is simply an extension of this, as men watch-
ing women is natural to her. The programme goes on to focus on the stories of some of the girls working in the club, identifying their reasons for dancing and asking questions about whether they find their job rewarding. Kim, a local Glaswegian girl, explains that she started stripping as she was unable to find a regular job. Throughout the show it seems that Kim is not particularly fond of dancing, and aims to get a regular job; however, she seemingly cannot resist the allure of a nightly wage and describes stripping as a money trap. Laefena is an Estonian dancer who has come to Diamond Dolls for a three week stint. She shows a more reluctant side to stripping, as she believes that dancing makes her feel dirty and there is a lot of negative judgement placed upon strippers. At the conclusion of the show, it is suggested that she will use her nursing qualification, and aims to become a nurse in the UK. Danielle is the final girl focused on, and her story mainly consists of her inability to tell her parents and family what she does as a living. She eventually confesses to her
mother. However, as a result Danielle is immediately removed from filming and no longer dances in Diamond Dolls, which suggests her parents' opinions heavily influenced her. However, the programme doesn’t simply highlight the dancers; it also spotlights on regulars that attend the strip club. It focuses on their motivations for going to see the dancers, with one, Colin, using his diagnosis of cancer as a reason to start to enjoy himself more. Strippers is a clearly identifiable Channel 4 show, aiming to push the boundaries and ask questions. The show reveals strippers to be just like everyone else, who like and dislike aspects of their jobs. However, there is a somewhat darker and exploitative undertone that suggests the industry plays on naivety and a poor job market, rather than girls wanting to become lap-dancers through solely their own motivation. Next week’s episode focuses on Edinburgh’s strip club scene, where lap dancers sit side-by-side with churches, much to the dismay of locals.
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redbrick.me/food
14th -20th March 2014
Food
St Patrick's Day
National Potato Chip Day
Sarah Dickinson
Rosie Twells
pan to be mashed. Add the butter and mash until a creamy consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.
March 14th marks a special day on the calendar for food lovers of a certain kind all around the world. Not because it is the date that Lakeland is releasing its latest cooking contraption, but because it is National Potato Chip Day!
Bubble and squeak
"March 14th is National Potato Chip Day"
"Great way to use up leftovers"
Food Writer
After enduring long months of bitter cold weather, it finally feels more and more like springtime is upon us. I feel more reassured of late that chances of a sudden torrential downpour will be less likely - fingers crossed! Or maybe our luck has indeed changed!
"Finally springtime is upon us!" On the 17th of March comes the celebration of St Patrick’s Day, a day associated with good luck and all things green. It seems a tad unrealistic however to assume that waiting at the end of a rainbow will be a pot of gold, the answer to all your financial woes following one too many trips to broad street in the past month. Though these beliefs may seem rather far-fetched, however, the celebration of St Patrick’s Day has become centred on luck and myths.
may explain why I had never known of its existence! The drink consists of a McDonald’s generic ice cream shake mixed with a mintbased syrup and green food colouring, certainly a tasty but unsurprisingly calorific indulgence! If you fancy attempting your own version to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, simply combine two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream, 350ml of milk, vanilla extract, and green food colouring if you have it, into a blender until smooth and creamy.
"Why not try making your own Shamrock Shake?" If you’re looking for an evening meal idea you could even try a simple mint sauce to accompany a juicy lamb chop and for a sweeter, refreshing end to the meal, a classic key lime or a minty ‘grasshopper’ pie. Even though the recipes aren’t strictly of Irish origin, they all incorporate the green theme of St Patrick’s Day perfectly. However, if we’re focusing on traditional Irish food and drink, Guinness surely could not have slipped our minds. I know a lot of you out there will appreciate a good boozy recipe for St Patrick’s Day, so here it is:
Food Writer
Originally an American concept, although invented by an Irish gentleman, George Crum, in Saratoga Springs in 1853, the potato chip has quickly grown into one of the world’s favourite food treats. Approximately 1.2 billion pounds of the starchy snacks are consumed every year in America, highlighting the popularity of the potato.
Ingredients
It is myths and legends such as these that make the celebrations much more enjoyable around the world. Traditional Irish food is possibly something that most of us would not consider eating on a regular basis, though there are
"Centred on luck and myths" some well-known dishes out there for you to give a try this St Patrick’s Day, including: Irish soda bread, beef stew and Colcannon, which is an alternative to your basic mashed potato with the addition of shredded cabbage, leeks, parsnips and any other vegeta-
ble of your choice. Focusing on the green theme of St Patrick’s Day, I became aware of the McDonalds St Patrick’s Day tradition, the ‘Shamrock Shake,’ which was first introduced across America in the 1970’s. This
Method Grease and line the cake tins and preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan Cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Separate the egg, putting aside the egg white in a small bowl for later. Add the egg yolk and the vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until combined.
"Moist, light chocolatey sponge with just the right hit of Guinness - perfect!" Sieve the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt together in a separate bowl and gradually add into the butter mixture, alternating with the Guinness, mixing as you go. Beat the egg white until stiff and then carefully fold into the cake mixture Pour the mixture into the tin(s) and bake for 25mins; the end result is a moist light sponge with just the right hit of Guinness.
Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter, 4 rashers of bacon, 1 onion, leftover cooked vegetables such as Brussels sprouts or cabbage, 400g cooked mashed potatoes. Method Melt the butter in a non-stick pan. When it is hot, add the bacon. As it begins to brown, add the onion. Mix the vegetables in and let it colour slightly. Add the potato next. Work the mixture together, shaping it however you like, until the edges are brown. Flip over and cook the other side. Cut into wedges and serve. Potato wedges
Chocolate Guinness cake 3oz butter 1 large egg ¼ tsp vanilla extract 4oz self-raising flour 2oz cocoa powder ½ tsp baking powder pinch of salt 3 fluid oz Guinness
Usually enjoyed after Christmas as a way to reduce the mountain of leftovers. Any of the ingredients can be substituted to use up any items found in your fridge at the end of the week.
Peeling the skin on this ingredient is exactly what I intend to do in order to show the versatility and variety that you can enjoy with a potato. As a key carbohydrate and forming a staple part of the diet, potatoes are highly nutritious. They can be used as the main part or accompaniment to any dish. Charlotte potatoes are great for salads because of their waxy texture, whereas Maris Piper or Marfona varieties are perfect for roasting or jackets respectively. Estimates suggest that there are over 4000 different varieties of potatoes, so certainly more than enough choice!
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside is the aim when cooking these. BBQ or Cajun spices are perfect to add an alternative flavouring to your dish. Ingredients 5 Russet Burbank potatoes (peeled and sliced into long wedges), olive oil, BBQ spice mix (combine 1 tablespoon of the following: ground black pepper, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and 2 tablespoons of paprika; a shop bought mix can alternatively be used). Method Preheat the oven to 230°c. Place the potato wedges in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer for approximately 5 minutes, or until a knife pierces through easily. Drain. In a large bowl, toss the wedges with olive oil. Place the BBQ spice in a shallow dish and roll the wedges in it. Place the wedges on a baking tray in a single layer and roast for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
"Perfect with any meal!" Curried potato salad
Perfect creamy mash A dish that seems so easy to make - but to reach the heaven of mouth-watering mash, choosing the right variety of potato and the right use of butter or milk is essential. Jamie Oliver’s recipe is fool proof. Ingredients 1.4kg potatoes (Maris Piper or Desiree are advised), 55g-115g butter, salt and pepper. Method Wash your potatoes, peel them and wash again. This is to clean the surface starch. Cut them into equal size pieces. Add to a pan of boiling water with a sprinkle of salt. Boil until tender – they should fall off the blade of a knife easily. When cooked, place them into a colander and allow to sit for 4 minutes, to let all the moisture, water and steam drain off. At this stage, place the potatoes back into the
As the spring equinox is fast approaching, this dish will be great to serve as part of a barbecue buffet or accompanying a refreshing green leafed salad. Ingredients 1.25kg Charlotte potatoes, bunch of spring onions, 1 tablespoon sunflower oil, 1 tablespoon Madras curry paste, 200g tub low-fat natural yoghurt, 4 tablespoon mayonnaise, 4 sticks celery (thickly sliced) Method Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and then add the potatoes. Return to the boil and cook for 15 minutes. The potatoes should be tender, allowing a knife to pierce them easily. Drain in a colander and cool for 5-10 minutes. Trim the white stems of the spring onions and chop. Heat the oil in a deep saucepan and add the spring onions and curry paste. Cook, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes. Tip the mixture into a large bowl and stir in the natural yoghurt and mayonnaise. Chop all but 2 of the green stems and add to the dressing along with the potatoes and celery. Fold everything together until evenly coated.
14th- 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/food
Review: Del Villaggio Gemma Bridge Food Editor
@glbridge1
The new Broad Street Del Villaggio Italian restaurant was beautifully decorated and very inviting. It is located close to Gatecrasher and the cinema at Five Ways in Birmingham, so is very easy to get to from University and New Street. The staff at Del Villaggio welcomed my guest and I upon entry and showed us to our table. Drinks were ordered within 5 minutes. Location Del Villaggio Broad Street, 175 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1DT, 0121 633 3553. Email info@del-villaggio.co.uk
Food Upon sitting down at our table, we were given a complementary plate of large Italian olives, which was a lovely surprise, and gave us something to nibble on whilst we chose our dishes.
up of a large fillet of roasted salmon on a bed of wilted spinach with a generous serving of salsa verde sauce and a large pea and asparagus ravioli. I ordered a side salad to accompany the dish, although in hindsight
cured meats, pickles, olives, mozzarella and rocket on a freshly made crispy flatbread. It was fun to eat together as you ripped off pieces of the bread and got to enjoy the flavoursome toppings. I enjoyed dipping my bread in balsamic vinegar. For mains we were spoilt for choice and as always in an Italian restaurant struggled to choose between pizza, pasta, risotto or
meat/ fish dishes. My guest and I both decided to go for meat/fish dishes as they sounded so good! I ordered the ‘Salmone di salsa verde’ (£14.50) which was a beautiful dish made
To suggest ingredient issues that you want solved, email: food@redbrick.me Ingredient Ideas Safiyyah Gareeboo suggests ways to use up the last of your...
Bread
I didn’t really need it as the dish was filling and fresh enough on its own. I thoroughly enjoyed my salmon and although I found it very filling after my starter, I managed to finish it all as it was so delicious. My guest ordered the ‘Carne padane’ (£12.95) which was a chicken dish in which a large chicken breast was filled with mozzarella, rolled and wrapped in parma ham. The chicken was smothered in a rich, creamy tarragon sauce which was well flavoured and perfectly accompanied the meat. The chicken was served on its own, so my guest ordered a side dish of polenta chips, which were unusual but a good addition to the meal, and also had some of my salad. Despite a tempting selection, including traditional tiramisu and profiteroles, my
To start, my guest and I ordered ‘Antipasto di carne’ (£8.50) which was a delicious shared dish comprising of Italian
"Complimentary olives were a welcome surprise!"
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Bread is an essential, but I, like many other students end up with a few slices left over so I am always on the look out for ways to use up my bread and make tasty dishes, so here are a few for you try... 01. Breadcrumbs Whilst you could buy breadcrumbs ready-made from the supermarkets, making your own is a great way to use up any leftover stale bread. If it's not stale, you can toast it first or put it in the oven to dry it out. This can be done with any type of bread, but the important thing is to dry it out first. Then, simply rub chunks of it between your palms over a bowl to create crumbs. these can be stored in a jar or airtight container and used in recipes such as baked fish and chicken.
02.
and guest and I were both too full to have any dessert. However we may have to go back another day and try them out. Service From start to finish my guest and I were looked after. The food and drinks came without delay and we were asked a number of times if we wanted anything else. In addition the waiter was knowledgeable about the food and drink and was able to explain and recommend dishes to us. Further to this, he and the kitchen staff were more than happy to alter dishes to meet our preferences, which is something I always like in a restaurant. Overall My guest and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Del Villaggio and will definitely be returning again soon. The service was second to none and the food was filling and delicious. The only thing that I think was lacking in the restaurant was music which would have helped to add atmosphere. Despite this, I would recommend Del Villaggio, so why not go?
"Del Villiago is a great Italian resturant serving tasty and affordable food"
Bread and Butter Pudding A british classic, this one is a good way to use up leftover bread, milk and eggs and can be adapted to incorporate loads of other ingredients. This can also be made by using rough quantities, and this simple method will mean that you can make as much or little as you want based on how much bread you have. 1. Slice the bread and butter both sides 2. Lay the slices in a dish, bulging up layers and packing them in tightly 3. Estimate how much milk you would need to cover the bread, and pour that into a jug (you can add more later, so it doesn't need to be precise) 4. Add 1 egg to the milk (use just the white if you're making a very small pudding) along with sugar and any spices you would like to use. Cinnamon and nutmeg work well. 5. Whisk together and pour over the bread. 6. Put in the oven on a medium-hot heat and cook until brown and slightly crispy on top.
03. Dumplings A quick version of traditional dumplings can be made using the soft, inside part of the bread. Break of the crusts, as you won't need these (though they'll be great for breadcrumbs!) and then roll medium sized chunks of the soft part in your palms to form a ball. When the ball becomes quite dense, and does not look like it will fall apart, they are ready to be added into the soup of your choice!
04. Summer Pudding A fruity alternative to bread and butter pudding, this one is ideal for summer as it is much lighter and makes a nice dessert after a barbecue or picnic. Slice the bread and layer into a bowl, following the shape of the bowl to create a sort of bread-bowl. Press down firmly and set to one side. Then, for the filling use fruits such as strawberries, raspberries or blackcurrants and put in a pan on a low heat. Add equal amounts of sugar and cook until the berries are soft and have released their juice. Strain the fruits and keep the juice, then put the fruit in the 'bread bowl'. Cover up with layers of bread until you have a tightly packed bowl, then pour over the remaining juice and put in the fridge to set. A top tip is to put something heavy, such as another bowl, over the top to press the pudding and make it even more compact so that it is easier to serve. There is of course, another option...Why not head up to the Vale and use up your bread by feeding the ducks?
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redbrick.me/travel
14th - 20th March 2014
Travel
University Cities The years spent at university often entangle students within their newly-found lives of party and work; friends and family back home are almost forgotten. Many of my friends only started university last September, and being a second year, I saw it fit, even necessary, to take them up on their offer to visit them and share their experiences too. True, it can be costly in terms of travel, and is only realistic if you haven’t blown your student loan on beer and a Netflix subscription. Homesickness is another problem for some. Whilst many students feel that going back, or seeing those from home for a weekend is something that will make it harder to return, others revel in the experience. But the opportunity to visit other places around the country is not one to be missed whilst there is such a good reason to do so. The time for spontaneous trips is now. You should not let your seemingly distant university life restrict you. Break the bubble, and explore. The results can be surprisingly rewarding. Here are six cities to get you started... Matthew Greenhill
Leeds
Elizabeth Waind
Leeds is the third largest city in the UK, and one of the most popular cities for students. Boasting three universities and over 250,000 students in total, no wonder this city has become a student haven. Leeds has ten museums and galleries of varying sizes, including Abbey House Museum which is housed in the impressive former gatehouse of Kirkstall Abbey. It also has an impressive shopping experience as the regional shopping centre for the whole of Yorkshire, and with such a huge student population is one of the liveliest nightlife hotspots in the UK. Clarence Dock is Leeds’ equivalent of Birmingham’s Brindley place, with many restaurants and bars set along the waterside, and the Millennium Square area hosts a growing entertainment district to appeal to both students and weekend visitors. Annual events in Leeds include the Christmas Market, the Rhythms of the City Festival, Leeds International Film Festival, and Leeds Carnival, which is Western Europe’s oldest West Indian Carnival and the second largest in the UK after Notting Hill Carnival. With such a huge student population, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs galore, and a never-ending host of annual city events, Leeds is definitely one of the country’s most lively and exciting cities.
Liverpool
Jessica Flanagan
Being the capital of culture in 2008, Liverpool is the perfect combination of heritage (with its maritime origins) and amusement fit for students. Known for the scouse brow, the unmistakable accent, and the beautiful Steven Gerrard, Liverpool is a fantastic university city. With a shopping centre that certainly rivals the Bull Ring, the beautiful Albert Docks looking out to the Liverpool waterfront, and with an underground metro system for parts of the city, this great place is definitely worth a visit. In regard to the main student necessities, bars and clubs are plentiful in the city centre, with drinks at very appealing prices. Probably clue yourselves up on student nights, and expect higher entry prices on a weekend, but the city certainly guarantees a top night out. The architecture alone is something to admire, be it St. George’s Hall, The Walker Art Gallery, the Museum of Liverpool or the aforementioned waterfront. With a train return from Birmingham to Liverpool at a mere £12, and a family room (for 3 people) in a Travelodge for £7 each, our neighbour Liverpool definitely deserves a visit.
Brum students abroad This week Hope Brotherton approaches three second year students in the run-up to their year abroad... A year abroad for many is part of the ultimate university experience. But, why is this the case? I asked three students and here's what they said... For 2nd year Hispanic studies student Emily Bennet, it was obligatory. Speaking
"Ohio appealed to me because it was very reminiscent of Birmingham." both Spanish and Portuguese has opened many doors for Emily, but what made her choose the Spanish capital of Madrid? 'Universidad Complutense de Madrid is one of the best universities in Spain, and I want
to make the most out of my year there. The Spanish capital hosts many sights I want to see, such as the Vertical Garden, and has good travel links to the rest of Spain. Also, some of my favourite writers and artists went there such as, Federico García Lorca and Mario Vargas Llosa.' A year abroad wasn’t compulsory, but more of a lifestyle choice for 2nd year BA English Language student Frazer Heritage. Sophia University in Japan is an exotic location for a year abroad. Frazer needs this year abroad to help advance his Japanese to a higher level of fluency. 'Sophia offers great travel links,' and with a happy coincidence that his sister is nearby, what more could he want? And finally, Hannah Bussell explains why she wanted to cross the pond for a
year. 'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity;
"...part of the ultimate university experience." when else would I get to go to America for a year? Ohio appealed to me because it was very reminiscent of Birmingham.' Cincinnati also has a beautiful campus with a worldrenowned sports centre. 'There is also a lot of emphasis on their American football team,' a key part to the cultural experience in America. So, whether it’s part of your course, a chance to explore a new and exciting culture, a language opportunity, or just an excuse to travel for a year, it seems there is a country out there for everyone.
14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/travel
Newcastle
Tamara Silver
Newcastle, to the non-Geordie, is famous for several things; its accent, its wild nightlife and the fake tan. Geordie Shore has shown us how a minority of the city's inhabitants live, but what is it actually like to be a student there? The university scores high on the fun factor and boasts an excellent academic reputation; it is home to over 20,000 students and is a member of the Redbrick group. A night out here will cost you less than half what it does in the south and there are clubs to cater for everyone; from those with niche music tastes to the more mainstream, Gatecrasher-esque venues. The city is culturally diverse and has many museums which are worth exploring if you are only there for a weekend, the Centre for Life housing the most popular. For the foodies out there, Newcastle's Chinatown is worth a visit, and the centre is home to a wide range of restaurants. Explore the Quayside area for posh bars and shops, and to enjoy stunning views of the River Tyne. Every year Newcastle hosts a traditional beer festival and the Gateshead Comedy Festival which attracts some of the biggest comedy names.
Cambridge
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Hannah Stevens
In comparison to places like Birmingham and London, Cambridge isn’t exactly perceived to be party central. The clubs aren’t hugely limited, but they are definitely fewer in number than in major university centres. Cambridge is known nationwide for the University of Cambridge, but the Anglia Ruskin University adds to the student population, making it a student hub in the UK. Cities with multiple universities are often considered to be amongst some of the best student cities, and Cambridge is no different. Cambridge may not have the Bull Ring but the shopping is brilliant, with all the major stores you could ever need. But, on top of that there are countless side streets that boast endless vintage and boutique stores that meet any of the shopping needs you could possibly have. On top of that the city is easily navigated through walking or cycling, which is a nice change from buses or trains in the bigger cities. The city is saturated with things to pass the time, from the churches to the shopping to the endless restaurants and pubs, and finally The Junction, which puts on countless gigs. Cambridge is the perfect student city, not too big so as to be overwhelming, but also not too small. If you’re visiting friends there or just taking a day trip, make sure to try out punting as well - just don’t fall into the water!
Bristol
Sara Tryon
With its beautiful architecture and a thriving student scene, Bristol provides an eclectic mix of hedonistic nightlife and daytime recuperation. With over 450 parks and open spaces across the city, nursing a hangover in the summer sun is most definitely an option. As the home of Banksy and the annual Urban Paint festival, Upfest, Bristol boasts an extensive art scene. If you’d rather while away a day in a museum, there are a variety from the Victorian to the modern. For a more traditional approach try the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, or the M Shed for a more modern, interactive experience. There are a host of quintessential cafés for a well-deserved coffee break – the Boston Tea Party Café is a favourite treat among students. Bristol boasts a diversified nightlife, from DJ sets at Motion to the more student-orientated Bunker. Live music can be found at the Bristol Folk House or the Old Duke Pub to name but a few, but venues across the city cover every genre of music imaginable. Whilst Bristol may be more expensive than its Northern counterparts, it’s still a long way off London prices. With a quaint and diversified feel to the city it’s certainly worth a trip.
Portsmouth
Matthew Greenhill
The University of Portsmouth is a bit of trek; but if you are brave enough to dance with the flurry of jam-packed trains down to the south coast, ‘Pompey’ offers much to see and explore. Having visited twice this year already, I feel it is a town riddled with many hidden gems. First and foremost is its premier (and extremely busy!) retail area, Gunwharf Quays, which exhibits an unparalleled number of shops, bars and restaurants for any taste. It also boasts an entertainment complex with a fourteen-screen cinema, bowling alley and, for the more articulate of visitors, a contemporary art gallery. After navigating your way through the bustling crowds, you will inevitably stumble upon the sail-shaped landmark, Spinnaker Tower, from which you can stare out over the harbour, and reflect upon the city’s maritime heritage. The old dock is home to a naval base, and many remarkable ships, such as the Mary Rose, and HMS Victory. However, it is at night when the city truly comes alive. The Tower stands peripheral to the centre in a striking aurora of blue light, whilst the inland nightclub venues of Astoria and Lyberry provide the primary hotspots for the student population. Wherever you find yourself in this frequently-overlooked sapphire, its diversity of attractions means that there will always be something of interest to you.
The 5...
Places to go for St. Patrick's Day Sara Tryon Travel Writer
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Dublin
London
Belfast
Birmingham
New York
The home of Guinness is perhaps the obvious choice to get to the heart of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Combining comedy, film, food and sport over the course of the weekend, there’s bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade runs from Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square. Expect dancing, singing, Irish food and comedy. The capital hosts a wealth of Irish bars so you’ll never be too far away from a freshly poured pint.
St. Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland’s capital involves a parade through the city which is set to ignite a colourful carnival atmosphere. The theme is ‘St. Patrick – To the Future’ so expect timetravelling leprechauns aplenty as they explore the future of Belfast.
With a free parade making its way through Digbeth and drinks offers in Selly Oak pubs, Birmingham may be the perfect solution for your St. Patrick’s Day travels. Broad Street’s ‘Block Party’ provides the opportunity to keep partying into the night.
A little further afield, but it may be worth the long-haul flight to experience the American take on a St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Experiencing the tradition that started more than 250 years ago is not to be missed. Watch out for green-tinted beer and bagels...
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redbrick.me/arts
14th - 20th March 2014
Arts
"Jane Austen is shocking" Manon Two of our writers were disappointed with this adaptation of Lescauts @ Jane Austen's classic Emma Hippodrome Ciaran Allanson-Campbell Critic
In all honesty, I'm not overly familiar with Jane Austen's works, so I went into The Sutton Arts Theatre's performance of Emma with a rather empty and open mind. We left sorely disappointed, and headed for the nearest bar (fortunately, this was the Old Joint Stock, so the bar was directly downstairs). Emma (Michelle Dawes), the eponymous character of the show/book, is the daughter of a relatively rich family in 1800s England. After setting up two of her acquaintances to marry, she begins to declare herself as a matchmaker, usually with unfortunate consequences. The Sutton Arts Theatre is an amateur dramatic company that prides itself on 'high quality performances', but sadly this isn't one of them, with many of the actors seeming to fall short of captivating the audience. In particular there are scenes in which the chorus portray children (and at one point, bizarrely, horses), which feel hammy and don't really seem to understand the child characters, all of them essentially being the same character cloned into four bodies. More noticeably, however, is Frank Churchill (Richard Ham) and his piercings, which stand out sorely, given the excessive number of them and how out of context they are next to his period dress. It seems odd to think that they couldn't be taken out for at least an hour while the performance occurs, and as a result it leaves Churchill an unconvincing character. In fairness, the actors here do have a rather tough job to do; Austen herself accepted that Emma, as a character who is bossy, controlling, interfering and downright annoying, would never be “liked” by readers, and, as a character (rather than plot) driven piece, it's up to the supporting characters to carry the story. It is unfortunate, therefore, that no other character, apart from perhaps the narrator (Anne Deakin, heavily implied to be Austen herself), has any substance whatsoever, and are less interesting than Guild Council. The entire town of Hartfield seems to be filled of drab, trivial and boring people
Francesca Buckley Critic
Jane Austen herself wrote, ‘I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like’ and indeed in the adaptation by Martin Millar and Doon MacKichan, directed by Ian Appleby for Sutton Arts Theatre, she succeeded. Situated in the beautiful Old Joint Stock Theatre, the amateur dramatic performance sadly didn’t fulfil preconceptions accumulated by the five star review received from ‘Behind the Arras’. One particular problem didn’t concern directing, acting style, staging or set but the attitude of the presentation of the cast. Appearances were frustrating when a multitude of piercings and tattoos could be visibly seen (and could easily have been disguised- necessarily for the context of the play). One particular technique employed by the director was both a blessing and a curse. The use of multi-role play allowed Anne Deakin- playing both Jane Austen (narrator) and Hartfield- with such an ease in transition. A principally strong cast member, Deakin, clearly focused on her physicality and voice to show her character changes. By signifying a gesture for both characters she subtly softened the tone of her voice but also used the aid of a small, feminine scarf wrapped around her to complete the character’s limited, but well suited, set of gestures. Having said this, the use of props was also a major distraction as an audience member. The over use of costume and set to differentiate between characters was messy and unnecessary, often merely highlighting a distinct lack of characterisation. Furthermore it distracted from the talent of particular individuals: Jayne Lunn whose acting alone was more than satisfactory in showing the difference between child and Jane Fairfax. The directorial decision to have a ‘story within a story’ worked to some degree. The success was predominantly due to Lunn and Deakin's commitment to their roles. However, the other three children were barely distinguishable; over acted and when intentionally synchronised were in fact not. Standing as the four children, one was regularly in an overly balletic pose in contrast to the other three, scruffily arranged. This was a further problem later in the play when symbolising the Coal’s dinner. The requirement of the actors to eat with the same hand whilst performing a synchronised move-
who simply have nothing better to do than go to endless meals, balls, and wet themselves over the concept of courtship. To the best part, though, Emma's failure isn't the fault of the actors, but that of the direction, which is, at best, clumsy, and at worst appalling. There seem to have been numerous attempts to “modernise” the show by shoehorning elements into it – and I really mean shoehorning, as they stand out very badly. The show, bizarrely, starts with the chorus of four children (tonight's framing device) dancing along to a tune from the 1960s, complete with John-Lennon-esque glasses, but still in 1800s period dress. This is nowhere near as jarring as the inclusion of Progidy's ‘Firestarter’ later on, which appears because.... well, the word firestarter is used, and there's really no other justification other than that. Elsewhere, there are scenes which seem to be included simply to “showcase skills”, including a scene at a dinner table in which various foods are announced by the cast before they are mimed being eaten. This might work if there was an actual scene that took place over dinner, but there isn't, it is literally tacked onto the plot with no real justification. Most annoyingly, however, is the lack of separation between the audience and the performance – in essence, the 'fourth wall' is ill defined, coming in and out of existence at the whim of the director. We are asked to clap along at one point, and are occasionally addressed by the narrator (who is really telling the story to the children. Or not. It's difficult to tell), but at other times we are expected to be complete observers to the events on stage. Overall it's sloppy and actually somewhat lazy. There's not really enough space to write about everything wrong with Emma, so this review will end on a positive note, in that Deakin, the narrator (and Mr Knightley) is actually very proficient in her role, being able to switch and embody numerous characters extremely effectively, without even the need for additional props, while taking command of the story effortlessly. Overall, however, this performance needs serious work, and isn't one worth going out of your way for.
ment was off-putting. Generally unimpressed by the piece I do commend the cast for their efforts in working with a messy direction and appreciate that for an amateur dramatic performance, the piece was somewhat engaging but sadly overly complex, missing subtle wit from this naturalistic piece of literature.
Katherine Keegan Arts Editor
I am sure that many of you are familiar with, or have at least heard of, Puccini and his work. That’s what I thought until I saw the Welsh National Opera’s (WNO) adaption of the classic Manon Lescauts as part of their Fallen Women season. It can certainly be said that what Mariusz Trelinski did with this opera was bold and brave, but I am not entirely sure that it worked. Don’t get me wrong, I am in total agreement with modernising and updating classics for a more contemporary audience, but there still needs to be some sort of correlation between what is being sung and what is happening on the stage, and I appreciate it is difficult to do this and provide an original adaption. That being said, the music and singing was wonderful and completely immersive. WNO are renowned for their talent and ability on stage and they did not disappoint. In particular, it is worth mentioning the performance given by Gwyn Hughs Jones, who played the hopeless lover Des Grieux. The physical staging and set design was clever and successfully managed to transport the audience to the world of Manon Lescauts. It was dark, sexy and enticing with tiled walls and rich textures. The theme of extravagance and materialism played a large part in the performance and the staging and costume really helped to emphasise this aspect. The power of passion and sex appeal was also heavily implied, with women coming on stage in bondage style outfits (yes, full on leather straps and knee-high boots) and writhing about on the floor. Throughout the performance there was a continuous debate around whether the lead female role, Manon herself (Chiara Taigi), was merely a manipulative seductress or a victim of male desire, but with the addition of exotic dancers and scantily clad women the audience had soon made up their minds. An urbanised, more sexually promiscuous version of Manon was equally as uncomfortable as it was refreshing. It was, despite this, a pleasant change to focus less on her tragic downfall and more on her cliché of being an experienced hooker with a dirty life. For more information on WNO’s Fallen Women season visit: http://www.wno.org.uk/
redbrick.me/arts
14th - 20th March 2014
Grizzly Pear is back! Georgia Tindale Critic
Last Thursday, the Bristol Pear once again found itself with the pleasure of being jam packed with poets for the third Grizzly Pear night of this academic year. For those of us who resolve to attend all of these nights, it didn’t feel like long since the last one, but there was an impressive amount of new and intriguing material performed by the poets. Due to the time constraint of the headliner, compere Ben Norris was limited to very brief interactions with the audience. This was a shame, as his knowledge of his audience often leads to brilliant and hilarious interactions. However, this definitely did not detract from the enjoyment I experienced from the spoken word. One theme that was popular with the performers was
"Unlike the previous Grizzly night – which happened in the aftermath of the student protests – the number of political poems was refreshingly low." identity. Anthony Keen’s poem exploring his Maltese heritage was delivered with wonderful word-play and humour, and he wasn’t alone in tackling this often emotional topic. Fabio Thomas performed a lyrical piece about his welsh
boxing roots by getting into the head of his great grandfather. Thomas and Keen used either foreign language or dialect in their performances: a technique which really lifted the words off the page. Unlike the previous Grizzly night – which happened in the aftermath of the student protests – the number of political poems was refreshingly low. Personally, I find these poems are often less carefully composed than non-political poems, and are often delivered purely for the audience’s reaction. Thankfully, James Dolton’s poem addressed to the Vice Chancellor did not fit into this classification. Delivered as a letter, James’ energetic performance explored issues of hypocrisy with the right balance of fiery comedy and serious intention. With a typically high standard of performance, there were more highlights than I can explore here. However, Alice Matthew’s beautiful description of how her subject’s ‘wrist-bones sit like bird’s eggs’ and graduate Alana Tomlin’s moving poem about a blocked-bile duct are two which I couldn’t omit. This time the headliner was Katie Bonna. Her interactions with the audience were bubbly and self-deprecating and her background in acting was clear in the ease with which she slipped between the voices she adopted in the poems. Her appearance was briefer than previous headliners, however she delivered some poignant and identifiable poems. The poem ‘Lanes’ was one such poem. It was set in a swimming pool and showed the impossibility of escaping feelings of loss. Her final piece was my favourite: a bittersweet story about relationships, loss and the death of some goldfish. Without a doubt, this Grizzly Pear night was as enjoyable, interactive and raucous as ever. The next one will be in May and will feature the fantastic Dizraeli as a headliner. You don’t want to miss out on this, so keep an eye out for the event on Facebook.
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What's On: Penny for your thoughts: free tickets for reviews Join us Wednesday at 2pm in Student Development Watch This Present: 48 Hour 'School of Rock' The Underground Sunday 16th March 7:30pm Tickets £3 Let It Be Musical @ New Alexandra Monday 17th March 7:30pm 2 Free Tickets (or £16.90) Birdsong Play @ REP Monday 17th March 7:00pm 2 Free Tickets (or £12.50)
Baron Sternlock's 'Big Naughty Improvised Musical' Francesca Buckland Critic
Initially sceptical about how Baron Sternlock Production’s ‘Big Naughty Improvised Musical’ could surpass the first performance I attended; I was keen to witness the talented troupe in action for a second time. I was not to be disappointed. The company’s mission statement, ‘[to] spread silliness, naughtiness and fun’ is exactly what they achieved with their quick paced, witty performance.
"This quality of performance, which is rarely assured within improvised performance, is a breath of fresh air and entirely in debt to the bond and rehearsal of the entire cast"
Situated in The Lounge Bar, Selly Oak, the set, costume and technical design was minimalistic for practicality and in keeping with the nature of an improvised performance. I was lead into the unknown with my only hint as to the content of the musical being the few improv suggestion words I had contributed into the makeshift hat. The ‘hat’ was a Bacardi pitcher (an impressive technique employed in order for the troupe to gain inspiration and initiate their performance). Slowly a merry tune began to fill the room. A strong introduction opened the musical. Led by James Lovelock the opening piece immediately broke the fourth wall between audience and performer, leaving the rest of the cast on standby. In sight, but side of stage, the nine cast members anticipated their first cue and thus the course of the mystery performance. After a few warm up pieces, selected at random from the makeshift hat, the final piece was selected: ‘Dr Fisher of Genève’. A particular highlight was the inspired ‘Middle Isle of Aldi’. Initially a duet between Nick Charlesworth and Matt Cullane, the two composed a song, simultaneously, about taking ‘risk’ by buying from the dreaded middle isle of the supermarket Aldi; an experience every student living in Selly Oak could relate to and evidently found hysterical as laughter pulsed through the room. The ability to spontaneously burst into full song- alongside James Lovelock
(keyboard) and Stuart Court (saxophone) - harmonising, singing in unison and maintaining newly established fictional relationships between the characters signifies the dedication and enthusiasm from the cast. This quality of performance, which is rarely assured within improvised performance, is a breath of fresh air and entirely in debt to the bond and rehearsal of the entire cast. I wholeheartedly recommend attending one of the numerous improvised musicals performed by Baron Sternlook Productions. Not only are you guaranteed a unique performance with every turnout but you will undeniably leave with a smile on your face. With their desire to take the show to Edinburgh this summer, I wish them every luck in succeeding to do so!
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redbrick.me/sport
14th - 20th March 2014
Sport
BUCS gold for Korfball 1sts
Lottie Hill
Lottie Hill
Rachel Flight Sports Reporter
This weekend saw the University of Birmingham’s Korfball team win their second British Students title in the club’s history. The tournament was held in Norwich with reigning champions UEA hosting the competition. After topping the Southern regional qualifiers held in Birmingham last November, Birmingham were first seed in the group stages of the competition and comfortably topped their group with wins against St Andrews (9-0), Edinburgh (10-8) and Exeter (14-5).
"Having been knocked out by the same team at the same stage in the previous two tournaments, Birmingham had demons to exorcise in this match and used this to fuel a strong attack" The pressure intensified considerably in the quarter finals where Birmingham met old rivals Sheffield Hallam, a team infamous for their aggressive style of korfball on the court and intimidating rabble of sup-
porters off it. The pace was frantic from the first whistle, with Birmingham scoring in the first 2 minutes and Hallam equalising within seconds. Twice Hallam managed to gain a lead of three goals, only for a composed Birmingham to fight their way back onto level terms. Birmingham took the lead in the nick of time thanks to a coolheaded penalty from Alex Seabright and an impressive long shot from captain Steve Carter, leaving the final score 12-11 to Brum. A sense of déjà vu followed Birmingham onto the court for their semi-final match, where they met Nottingham for the third consecutive year. Having been knocked out by the same team at the same stage in the previous two tournaments, Birmingham had demons to exorcise in this match and used this to fuel a strong attack. They started confidently, opening up a four goal lead thanks in part to Vicki Gee scoring her trademark drop-off shot, and a slick underthe-post effort from Chris Mannix. Nottingham stepped up a gear towards the end and managed to claw back a few goals but in the end they were unable to overcome the tight Birmingham defence. The match finished 11-10 and Birmingham reached the final for the first time since 2009. In the final Birmingham faced home team and reigning champions UEA. After matching each other goal for goal in the first half, it was UEA who managed to gain control of the match in the second, pulling ahead into a 3 goal lead with seven minutes to go. If Birmingham felt the title slipping away from them, they never for a second let
it show in their performance. They patiently continued to put pressure on UEA until a slip in discipline by the home side lead to a slew of penalties being awarded to Birmingham in the dying minutes. Danique Fintelman converted the final penalty in the penultimate minute of the match to put Birmingham one goal ahead. UEA could not answer and the match finished 14-13, crowning Birmingham the BUCS national student korfball champions of 2014. On top of becoming national student champions, Birmingham player Renée van Vliet won the female Most Valuable Player accolades for both the final and the entire tournament and unshakable penalty taker Danique Fintelman was the highest female scorer in the competition.
"UEA could not answer and the match finished 14-13, crowning Birmingham the BUCS national student korfball champions of 2014" This is the second year that Wales international Rick Scowcroft has been head coach at UoB Korfball, during which time the club has won medals at all competitive 1st and 2nd team tournaments. He said after the tournament: ‘I'm so unbelievably proud of the whole squad, the commitment they have put in over the last few months and
how they played for each other as a team of friends. Their belief in what they can do and commitment to work for each other meant they were able to overcome goal deficits in
"After beating Hallam in such close circumstances I felt like the team really started to believe that this could be our year" a couple of games which would have made any other team crumble. The amazing club and alumni support lifted the whole team and definitely contributed to the players performance - with two supporters even tuning into the live final steam and twitter feeds from France and Holland!’ 1st team captain Steve Carter was thrilled to finally win BUCS gold after being a bronze medallist for the previous three years. He said: ‘After beating Hallam in such close circumstances I felt like the team really started to believe that this could be our year. The atmosphere amongst the squad was great and every single player shone at one point or another across the course of the weekend. Even when we were three goals down with such little time left, I still had this gut feeling that it wasn't over. The fact we knew we had the rest of the club watching at home really spurred us on in the final few minutes. It's a real club achievement.’
14th - 20th March 2014
redbrick.me/sport
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Hogs too hot for Lions Livi Sheppard Sports Reporter
Rallied by the hype of the Winter Olympics, the Birmingham Lions took to the ice to host the second annual ice hockey varsity match. After months of planning, and weeks of advertising, it all culminated in a thrilling match between the Lions and the Hull Ice Hogs. Over 250 spectators enjoyed the match, with many joining the team for the Jagerbull after-party.
"The match, hosted at Solihull Ice Rink, faced-off at 8pm, with hundreds of spectators surrounding the rink" The match, hosted at Solihull Ice Rink, faced-off at 8pm, with hundreds of spectators surrounding the rink - some sporting jerseys supporting their team, others waving signs, and all excited for the game. The first few minutes of the match set the tone of play, with a number of big hits being delivered. The first penalty fell to Hull, for charging, giving the Lions a two minute power play, in which the hosts had the usual five out-field players to Hulls four. The Lions fought through Hull’s defence and managed a few great shots on goal, but sadly no puck managed to sneak past the netminder. Minutes later, with the Hull team back to full strength, a goal came almost instantly their way, followed by a second another two minutes later. Despite the 2-0 deficit by the end of the first period, the Lions’ spirits were still strong. Just seconds into the middle period, the Lions landed their first puck in Hull’s net, scored by first year Jacob Holley. The goal sent the lions fans wild, and boosted team spirits further. The game continued to be close, with both teams delivering many shots on goal; a spectacular performance from the Lions’ long serving netminder, David Sutton, ensured that only one goal was let in for the home team throughout the second period, despite the visitors’ persistence, and a number of power plays. As the second period drew to a close, the score was 3-1 to the Hogs.
and captains, a host of penalties, including Slashing, Roughing and Hooking, were awarded to members of both teams, and Lo Faso was ejected from the match. With a player down, the Lions fought hard to keep the score as close as possible, but after a tough third period, Hull were able to extend their lead to 6-1 by the end of the third, and final period. Speaking after the game, A team captain Tom Rolls said; ‘It was a great evening all
"There's nothing better than skating onto the ice with a few hundred people cheering you on. I'm looking forward to next year already! This thing is only going to get bigger and better." round! It's a shame about the score but I think everyone involved had a fantastic night. I just want to say a massive thanks to everyone that came to watch! There's nothing better than skating onto the ice with a few hundred people cheering you on. I'm looking forward to next year already! This thing is only going to get bigger and better!’
Charlotte Wilson Photography Editor
Last week’s Icebull saw recognition for Birmingham’s Ice Hockey team across campus, yet with the big event signalling the close of the season, we are left wondering just what the Lions have been up to over the past year. The Birmingham Lions Ice Hockey Club sports nearly 50 competitive members of both sexes who are spread across two teams in the British Universities Ice Hockey Association. Both teams are situated in the top-division of their separate categories; university hockey and non-checking (less contact) university hockey, for which the B team are ranked top.
"The diversity of the club is tremendous and they welcome players of all levels." The diversity of the club is tremendous and they welcome players of all levels, filtering those with years of experience into the teams, yet refusing to neglect the less seasoned players and beginners who are welcomed to weekly practices and are encouraged to advance their skills even if
they’ve never strapped on skates before. Training and matches are arguably nocturnal affairs, typically taking place after 10pm which can be taxing when you have an away game in Edinburgh!
"The Lions have built on their commercial success from last year when they were registered by the AU as an official club." The Lions have built on their commercial success from last year when they were registered by the AU as an official club. The B team has had similar triumph in their league, winning all but one match this season. The A team have faced a difficult run after being promoted and losing many of their international students, who, due to the infancy of the sport in the UK, are often relied upon to make up the elite teams. Regardless of the struggle, spirits remain high within the team and club captain, Neel Radhakrishnan, seems optimistic about next year, stating that ‘though this season is nearly over, the club always welcomes new members of all abilities, and it would be fantastic to see even more people involved with the club over next academic year.’
"Just seconds into the middle period, the Lions landed their first puck in Hull's net, scored by first year Jacob Holley." A traditional game of Chuck-a-Puck broke up the time between the second and third period: members of the audience were given the chance to stand at side of the rink and throw a puck to a target in the centre of the ice, the most accurate thrower winning five beers. Through the night, the spectators were joined by the UBSport Lion mascot, who showed up both in the stands, and on the ice; thanks to B teamers Ellen Ibister and Edward Jones. The third period saw the climax of the game. The Lions had some big scoring opportunities, with some excellent shots on goal, and with the skill and experience of the Lions’ players making itself apparent. However, Hull’s netminder proved his worth, and blocked shot after shot. With tensions running high, the first brawl of the night broke out when Michael Lo Faso collided with one of Hull’s female players after much deliberation amongst the referees
Charlotte Wilson
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redbrick.me/sport
14th - 20th March 2014
Sport
Sport View Sol Campbell Aman Harees explores the uncomfortable truth behind Sol Campbell's recent claims that he could have captained England for 10 years if he was white. Aman Harees
Online Sports Editor
‘The only two certainties in life are death and taxes’, so said Mark Twain. My initial thoughts upon hearing Sol Campbell’s recent allegations that the FA was ‘institutionally racist’ was that perhaps the Twain quote should be amended with a third certainty so that's death, taxes and an absurd statement by Sol Campbell. This is hardly the first eyebrow raising statement from the much decorated defender. Cast your minds back to the horror stories swirling around in the lead up to Euro 2012. The negative press for the Euros was punctuated by stories of hooliganism in Eastern Europe, stylising a picture of Polish and Ukrainian stadiums infested with rabid men foaming at the mouth in anticipation for their next scalp. The culture of fear was inflamed even further by Campbell’s claims that English fans ‘could end up coming back in a coffin’. Fortunately, none of these fears came to fruition but that is beside the point - Should we dismiss Campbell’s allegations as the latest of his farcical outbursts or should we treat it with more gravity? It was only by delving on this question that I arrived at the conclusion that I was perhaps mistaken in rebuking his latest statement as mere publicity for his soon to be released autobiography. Sol Campbell is a former player who has many grievances. The biggest of which is the fact that he is rarely mentioned in the same breath as his contemporaries, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. He was a truly distinguished servant of English football, appearing in three Euros and three World Cups. He even made the ‘Team of the Tournament’ in the 2002 World Cup and 2004 Euros – to date, the only player from our shores to do so. As Campbell was entering his prime years, he experienced a watershed moment in his career with an infamous club transfer that rivalled Figo’s MadridBarça switch. Campbell was the boy that Tottenham had nurtured and elevated to the lofty heights of club captain. The adulation however quickly turned to spite when Campbell turned down a contract renewal and opted for a move for their more successful arch rivals, Arsenal. North London Derbies were fuelled with even more vitriol as sickening homophobic and racist chants were aimed at their former hero. Ultimately, this debate should centre on his suitability to captain his country. Consider the illustrious names who captained England during his span – Adams, Shearer, Ince, Pearce, Seaman, Keown, Beckham, Gerrard, Terry and hilariously, Michael Owen. All (except for Owen) were enormous forces of personality and the idea that somehow Campbell would captain England for ten years in amongst these competent candidates is a step too far. Paul Ince, the nation’s first black captain detested the idea of being upheld as some sort of bastion for black players. Ince was adamant that race played no part in deciding who captained England. Clearly, the FA has no issue with integrating black players in the England squad and its various anti racism off shoot organisations demonstrates their
commitment for inclusivity and diversity. Indeed, the only employee of the FA tasked with selecting the captain is the England manager. ‘I never had any influence put on me on who to select as captain, regardless of the colour of his skin,’ said Gordon Taylor, England manager from 1990-93, in an interview with BBC Radio 5Live. What stopped Sol Campbell from being England captain for ten years wasn’t the colour of his skin. In the 2000s, with Beckham at the zenith of his star power, there were just two steps to captaining the Three Lions: Step 1: Be David Beckham Step 2: Don’t not be David Beckham Beckham may have been appointed for the wrong reasons according to some quarters but he was an outstanding captain who carried himself with great poise. By the time of his exit in 2006, he had more than justified his appointment. But Campbell is not just bitter at not being the captain of his country. His comments should be in seen in the wider context of football’s stuttering advances in its warpath against racism. The powers that be at FIFA slap nonsensical fines at football associations and every year sees racist and xenophobic incidents rear its ugly head – whether its Lokomotiv Moscow fans throwing bananas at Christopher Samba or Beitar Jerusalem fans protesting the fact that their club had signed two Muslim players of Chechen origin. And let’s not forget dear old Blighty. 2013 was a bad year in particular with six major racist incidents taking place and though they were isolated chants, it highlighted that our fight is an ongoing
one. Undoubtedly, English football has made giant strides with respect to diversity and anti-racism measures but we are still to make a dent in the oft-quoted black manager statistic. That there are 92 professional clubs in England; only three of which have black managers. Chris Hughton is commonly paraded as the only top flight black manager and the suits at the FA must be furious at losing two more black managers from that statistic. Paul Ince was sacked (rightly) mid way through the season and Chris Powell was dismissed this week as part of the takeover at Charlton Athletic. Undoubtedly, the colour of their skin played no part in their sackings, but surely the dearth of black managers does not sufficiently encourage black players to be managers. Oliver Holt, of the Mirror, puts forward the view that we do not trust black players and managers in leadership roles in football. It is a strong view but one that has growing evidence to support it. Survey the list of Premier League managers this year and you will notice a pattern: apart from a few foreign managers, the rest are white British males. The image becomes bleaker as you traverse the lower leagues. Birmingham City Academy Coach Michael Johnson, believes that this will continue as long as the chairmen of football clubs see black players as ‘not being educated enough’ to be managers. Jeffery Webb, in the highest echelons of Fifa’s anti racism task force, explained how black and ethnic minority players were not afforded the opportunities to graduate to management. ‘Many of them are becoming
very demoralised and these are issues of course that we hope the FA will take on and that of the Premier League.’ Implementing a Premier League equivalent of the ‘Rooney Rule’ is seen as one of the measures to encourage more black managers. The proposal was introduced in 2003 and required NFL teams to interview at least one black or ethnic minority candidate for top coaching positions. The percentage of black/ethnic minority head coaches in the NFL has more than trebled since 2003, rising to 18.5% as of March 2014. The FA’s ‘Coaching Fair Play’ scheme, unveiled in April 2013, has similar aspirations but with the scheme needing the agreement of half of English football’s 92 professional clubs it may not be so straightforward. Some critics pour scorn on the plans by suggesting that it may alienate competent white coaches and that ‘positive’ discrimination might not be the best solution. Sol Campbell is no stranger to provocative statements and he is wrong to suggest that the FA is ‘institutionally racist’. He has however spoken of his desire to become a manager and he, more than most, is aware of the lack of black managers. We should not brush off Campbell’s allegations as mere publicity for there is a man behind the statement. A man who perhaps feels he has been underappreciated or even wronged. Certainly, that is no excuse for accusing the FA of a hidden racist agenda. Nonetheless, at the core of Campbell’s words was an underlying, uncomfortable truth: English football should be doing much, much more to remedy the lack of black managers.
redbrick.me/sport
14th - 20th March 2014
Things to look out for this weekend
Performance of the week
Tweet of the week
1. Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday and will be hoping to take all three points in a bid to keep the pace with league leaders Chelsea, and put another dent in United's underwhelming season.
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@StGeorgeGroves 'For everyone wondering...Yes I completed the Rubik's cube while Froch was talking today at the presser @SkyAdamSmith will confirm! ;)'
2. The Six Nations comes to an end on Saturday with three sides still in contention. England face Italy but must rely on France to beat Ireland in Brian O'Driscoll's final Six Nations game.
England beat Wales relatively comfortably last Sunday, as they kept the pressure on Ireland and France. The inexperienced England team, which collectively holds less than 500 caps, won 29-18 in a mustwin game to still be in a chance with ending the tournament as victors. Owen Farrell's kicking was faultless, scoring 19 points for England and the fly half was instrumental in securing the win.
3. Formula 1 returns this weekend with the first race of the season taking place in Australia. Will Sebastian Vettel be able to retain his crown? Will new racing rules be the main talking point?
The lighter side of sport
Weekend wager
1. Rafael Benitez handed out flowers to all the female journalists who attended the press conference before Napoli's game last week. Benitez, who is remembered for his infamous 'fact' rant, has clearly mellowed since moving to Naples.
10/1 With Liverpool taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford and Arsenal travelling accross North London to face Tottenham, a draw in both games looks a good value bet. The reverse games saw close home wins for Liverpool and Arsenal, so draws this time around might be worth a punt.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo has offered to pay for a young Real Madrid fan to undergo brain surgery. The 10-month old, who suffers from cortical dysplasia, needed ÂŁ60,000 for the operation and ÂŁ6,000 alone for tests afterwards. It's a breath of fresh air in an era where footballers seem to care about little more than money.
Photo of the week
Online this week
Sport quiz 1. How many appearances has Brian O'Driscoll made for Ireland? 2. Who won team GB's first ever Paralympic gold medal in Sochi? 3. How many times have Liverpool and Manchester United faced each other in the top division? 4. Which horse won the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Six Nations Redbrick Sport reviews the weekend's action, looking at the culmination of the Six Nations.
University Reports Read how the University's teams got on in the latest round of BUCS fixtures.
5. Which Formula One driver has won the most races? 1.132 2.Kelly Gallagher 3.152 4.Bob's Worth 5.Michael Schumacher
Top 5: After Brian O'Driscoll bowed out of International rugby, sports editor David Morris takes a look at the Top 5 Sporting Farewells.
The Redbrick Crossword
If you complete this week's crossword successfully then, as a prize, you will receive a portrait of Allan Sweigl III, Sausage King of Chicago. Crossword by Matt Robinson
Please complete this form before you hand in your completed crossword to the Redbrick office or send a photograph to crossword@redbrick.me Name: Email Address: Phone Number:
Across
1. Land dwelling reptile (8) 4. Spirit flavoured with juniper (3) 6. A person's social environment (6) 8. King _____ ; Shapespeare play (4) 9. The bottom of a shoe (4) 10. Spanish romantic painter (4) 11. Canine (3) 12. Region of South America (9) 13. Designating a Russian monarch (4) 15. Rowing Machine (4) 18. Spanish city (6) 19. Undecided whether the chicken came first or this (3) 20. Subatomic particle (8)
Down
1. Existance beyond the normal (13) 2. Roman poet (4) 3. A melancholic poem (5) 4. Used to stick things together (4) 5. An explosive liquid ; treatment for heart conditions (13) 7. First letter of the Hebrew alphabet (5) 11. Girl's name; flower (5) 14. Charming or elegant (5) 16. Cymbal-like instrument (4) 17. Flat circular object (4)
1```2``3~~4`5 `~~~`~~`~~`~` `~~6`````~`~` `~7~`~~`~8``` 9```~0```~~~` `~`~~~~~~~-`` `~=````````~` `~`~~~~~~~`~` `~~~qw``~~`~` e`r`~`~~t~`~` `~`~y`````~~` `~`~~`~~`~~~` u``~~i```````
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14th - 20th March 2014
Sport
P 28 - Rachel Flight reports on a very successful tournament for the university's korfball team.
Birmingham avenge final defeat in narrow victory Birmingham 1sts
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Durham 1sts
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Alex Kronenberg Sport Editor
Birmingham women’s 1sts hosted Durham 1sts in this year’s BUCS championship semi-final, a repeat of the final from last year. On that occasion Birmingham finished runners up, but this time the outcome would be different. Birmingham started the game well, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. A good run from Meg Edwards on 16 minutes resulted in a short corner for Birmingham, but they were denied by some brave goalkeeping by the Durham shot-stopper. Durham were being forced to attack on the break but were denied with relative ease
Matthew Williamson
each time by the solid Birmingham backline. Birmingham kept playing at a high tempo and Hannah Martin was a constant threat with some excellent runs, twisting and turning her way through the Durham defence. As the first half wore on it seemed like it was going to be one of those days though for Birmingham, creating plenty of good chances but just not being able to convert them. However, the deadlock was broken just before half time as Emily De Froand converted a chance from a short corner. Her shot, which gave Birmingham a thoroughly deserved lead, flew in to the top left corner
"However, the deadlock was broken just before half time as Emily De Froand converted a chance from a short corner."
of the goal, leaving the Durham ‘keeper powerless. Birmingham started the second half in the same vein as they finished the first. A defence-splitting pass from midfield by Emma Trunks resulted in Durham conceding a short corner, but it was matched by more great goalkeeping by Durham’s ‘keeper between the sticks. Durham soon began to create more chances of their own and the game became far more end-to-end. On 55 minutes Durham were awarded a short corner and surprised the Birmingham defence with an excellent piece of skill, faking a shot twice, before laying it off to another player to shoot. It wasn’t enough to outsmart Polly Oakman though, who made a sensational double save to protect the host’s lead. Both sides had a handful of chances to add to the score line in the second half, and Birmingham’s profligacy was starting to give Durham the belief that they could still grab that all important equaliser. With five
"It was an excellent performance from Birmingham which saw them gain a richly deserved victory. " minutes left on the clock Durham made some substitutions, bringing on an outfield player to play as a kicking back in place of their goalkeeper, who had kept them in the game. The change allowed Durham to push on and go even more offensive, but it was too little too late. Birmingham controlled possession well, slowing the ball down, and saw the remainder of the game out. It was an excellent performance from Birmingham which saw them gain a richly deserved victory. They will now face either Loughborough or Exeter in the final, and if they put in a similar performance, their name could be on this year’s trophy.
Jack Schofield